Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

The project aims to develop potato and Brassica production and post harvest systems in the provinces of West and Central Java. The temperate climate of the highlands enables predominantly small scale farmers to grow potatoes and brassicas as cash crops. Demand for potatoes from nearby countries, the domestic ware market and processors in Indonesia is increasing reflecting growing per capita incomes, population growth and westernisation of tastes. In response to this opportunity the Government of Indonesia has been focusing on improving the yield and quality of potatoes and Brassicas, which are grown in rotation. This project builds on the previous work of the project partners and other institutions from Indonesia and Australia.
The project contract was signed in May 2006 however problems with obtaining sign off from Indonesian partners delayed the project commencement. In August 2006 the Australian project partners met in Bunbury, Western Australia for a day to discuss project management and technical issues. There have been 3 subsequent video conferences linking all Australian partners.
The project commenced with an inception workshop and farm visits from 10 - 15 September 2006 hosted by IVEGRI in Lembang West Java. The workshop provided the first opportunity for all partners to meet. Presentations were provided by Australian and Indonesian partners on previous projects and the components of the project and organisational responsibilities were defined. The baseline survey aim, design, data for collection and statistical analysis requirements was discussed and agreed upon. The training component of the project was also covered focusing on the development of the Train the Trainers and Farmer Field School work plans.
The baseline survey commenced with training provided for Indonesian counterparts by Peter Dawson and Fiona Goss (Youth Ambassador from DAFWA) in November 2006 at IVEGRI and provincial Dinas Pertanian offices in Central and West Java. The training focused on how to collect, store and transport soil and leaf petiole samples. The baseline survey commenced in West Java in December 2006 but was delayed until February 2007 in Central Java due to delayed planting and/or revised rotation of the wet season crops. Visits have been made by Dr Ian McPharlin (Agronomist), Dr Roger Jones (Virologist), Dr. Michael Furlong and Dr. Peter Ridland (both entomologists) and Dr. Dolf De Boer (Plant pathologist) to provide training to survey enumerators on specific components of the baseline survey.
At the Inception Workshop the Indonesian counterparts confirmed the presence of Potato and Golden Cyst Nematode (PCN) in Indonesia. PCN was first observed in Indonesia in 2003 and was probably imported with seed from Europe. Whilst there are no formal results yet from the project's baseline survey the pest and disease management experts on the team were also struck by the potential for sustainability problems with the production system. The continuous cropping of potatoes (up to 3 crops per annum) at high elevations in Central Java poses a threat to the system. IVEGRI is working with a number of Universities to investigate the scale of the problem in Indonesia and the Indonesian government have provided of large quantities of nematicide. The opportunity exists for the project to provide assistance determining the extent of the infestation through soil surveys and formulating systems to minimise the spread of the pest through on-farm hygiene and the development of appropriate seed distribution policies, quarantine, rotations and resistant varieties.
The only data received from the survey so far is agronomic data from West Java that is currently being analysed in Australia.
In January 2007 Elske van de Fliert visited the project partners to co-ordinate the development of workplans for the implementation of province-level Training of Trainers events and Farmer Field Schools. The commencement of the initial TOT event has been delayed from April to May 2007 awaiting the data from the baseline survey.
Indonesian candidates for short term entomology and plant pathology training in Australia have been identified at IVEGRI and Dinas Pertanian West and Central Java and training programs are under development.
A census designed for WA export seed potato growers to assess the quality of export seed through the supply chain commenced in April 2007. Measurements of potato seed tuber handling were taken using an instrumented sphere with temperature and humidity data loggers.
CIP have not taken part in the project to date as the role of CIP in Indonesia is currently under review and the Asian regional office may be moved to China.

The project aims to develop potato, Brassica and allium (shallot) production and post harvest systems in the provinces of West Java, Central Java, South Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Barat. The temperate highland climate in these provinces enables predominantly small scale growers to grow potatoes, brassicas and alliums as cash crops. Domestic demand for ware and processing potatoes and regional demand primarily for processing potatoes is seeing potatoes becoming an increasingly important crop throughout Indonesia. Accordingly the Indonesian government and donors such as ACIAR are funding research, development and extension work to support the development of potatoes and rotational crops.

The project document was signed in May 2006 and the project initiation workshop was held in September 2006. Delays to the commencing the baseline survey due to late rains have led to the project running approx. 6- 8 months behind schedule.

A project variation was signed in February 2008 to expand the project to include the provinces of South Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB). These provinces are small producers of vegetables in comparison to West and Central Java however there are opportunities to increase potato/Brassica/allium production significantly. PT Indofood Fritolay are looking to expand potato production in Lombok and Lombok, if it proven to be free of Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN), has the potential to supply high quality seed to the rest of Indonesia.

Work on the variation commenced in May 2008 when Peter Dawson (DAFWA) and John Marshall (Independent Consultant) visited NTB, South Sulawesi and Central Java to commence the PCN survey. Training was supplied to counterparts and farmers in PCN survey techniques and applied farm biosecurity methods.

The original project design had Training of Trainer (ToT) activities being undertaken over a full production season however the duration was revised down to 12 days, reflecting the available budget. ToT activities, training groups of 20, were undertaken from 29 August - 9 September in West Java and 5 - 16 November 2007 in Central Java. The curriculum taught by trainers is based on the Indonesian version of the CIP/FAO manuals for potato IPM. The material taught to farmers is being improved by team members from Australia and Indonesia drawing on previous research experience and on the results of the baseline survey for potato crop 1 which were available in time to be incorporated into the curriculum. A complete curriculum will only be developed once the results of the baseline survey and follow on trials are available.

Integrated crop management Farmer Field School (FFS) were established in 10 communities in West Java and 10 communities in Central Java. The FFS commenced in November 2007 in West Java and March 2008 in Central Java.

In November 2007 Rini Murtiningsih, Entomologist with IVEGRI commenced a 1 month training period with the University of Queensland. The training focused on increasing her entomological skills and planning entomological activities for the rest of the project

The crop management and economic baseline survey for the first potato crop was completed and analysed. The first potato crop was grown over the 2006/07 wet season from November 2006 to March 2007. Soil and plant nutrient data support the conclusion that micro element toxicity due to soil acidification is contributing to significant yield loss in both provinces.

The economics baseline survey examined the relationship between variables such as yields, scale, pesticide and fertiliser use and gross margin returns for growers. Profitability is sensitive to the cost and performance of seed, fertiliser and pesticides which make up 75% of costs, there is a negative relationship between pesticide expenditure and gross margin, additional expenditure on fertilisers leads to increased yields. There is a need to conduct further work into the financial benefits of additional fertiliser expenditure. There was no significant correlation between seed expenditure and seed source and gross margin. Further work is required in this area.

The second baseline survey was carried out on the cabbage crop grown in 2007 after the harvest of the potatoes in March/April. The collection of data on growing practices and conditions by enumerators and results from laboratory samples of soils and plant material was complete in most cases. Yield was seen to be correlated to soil pH and planting density.

The baseline survey work was supported by Andrew Taylor, Plant Pathologist with DAFWA. Andrew spent 5 months working with IVEGRI in Lembang funded by the AusAID Youth Ambassador Program.

Supply chain systems work in Western Australia has focused on optimising harvesting and post harvest systems. An electronic tuber has been purchased and is being run through farmers' harvesters and grading lines to measure physical impact on tubers.

The project aims to develop potato, brassica and allium (shallot) production and post harvest systems in the provinces of West Java, Central Java, South Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Barat. The temperate highland climate in these provinces enables predominantly small scale growers to grow potatoes, brassicas and alliums as cash crops. Domestic demand for ware and processing potatoes and regional demand primarily for processing potatoes is seeing potatoes becoming an increasingly important crop throughout Indonesia. Accordingly the Indonesian government and donors such as ACIAR are funding research, development and extension work to support the development of potatoes and rotational crops.

The project document was signed in May 2006 and the project initiation workshop was held in September 2006. A project variation was signed in February 2008 to expand the project to include the provinces of South Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB). These provinces are small producers of vegetables in comparison to West and Central Java however there are opportunities to increase potato/Brassica/allium production significantly. PT Indofood are looking to expand potato production in Lombok and Lombok, if it proven to be free of potato cyst nematode (PCN), has the potential to supply high quality seed to the rest of Indonesia.

The project is a technology rollout project. Constraints to production in potatoes and cabbage were determined through baseline surveys. Best bet management recommendations are then validated through learning by doing plots run through the Farmer Field School system. To ensure that best bet management recommendations are validated in a rigorous manner the project is modifying the FFS methodology. We aim was to instigate demonstration plots that allowed the impact of single management changes to be measured by farmers. Previously the FFS have compared an ICM plot versus a conventional plot. This resulted in a host of management changes between the plots and so it was difficult to identify the cause of improvements in profits between the treatments.

Individual learning-by-doing (LBD) demonstration plots for the 2nd cycle of FFS in WJ 2008/09 were devised to test three of the five factors identified by the baseline survey (potato late blight, lime/soil pH, seed quality. Collaboration between groups by pooling results will ensure rigorous comparisons are made. Adoption of this simple experimental methodology will increase the capacity of farmers to assess the value of management changes. This was recognised by farmers at a FFS review meeting where one group stated that the benefit of FFS was "Menciptakan petani yang mahir dan mandiri" (the creation of self-reliant expert farmers).

This system has also been used in the cabbage FFS and Figure shows the growth response of cabbage to lime applications as a result of improved soil pH and subsequent reduced severity of clubroot disease.

A PCN survey of the Sembalun area in NTB was completed and the area was found to be free of potato cyst nematode. This means that NTB could be develop as a safe potato seed provider to Eastern Indonesia.

Experiments have significantly advanced our understanding of the ecology and impact of the major natural enemy groups on diamondback moth populations in the region. The work has demonstrated the significant impact which Diadegma semiclausum can have on pest populations but has also clearly shown that the endemic generalist predatory fauna also contributes significantly to pest mortality. Agricultural practices which conserve these organisms will play an important role in the IPM of Brassica insect pests.

The project aims to improve the efficiency of potato, brassica and allium (shallot) production and post harvest systems in the provinces of West Java, Central Java, South Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara Barat. The temperate highland climate in these provinces enables predominantly small scale growers to grow potatoes, brassicas and alliums as cash crops. Indonesian domestic demand for table and processing potatoes and SE Asian regional demand primarily for processing potatoes is seeing potatoes becoming an increasingly important crop throughout Indonesia. Accordingly the Indonesian government and donors such as ACIAR are funding research, development and extension work to support the development of potatoes and rotational crops.

The eastern Indonesian provinces involved are small producers of vegetables in comparison to West and Central Java however there are opportunities to increase potato/Brassica/allium production significantly. PT Indofood are looking to expand potato production in Lombok and this area could even prove to be a potato cyst nematode (PCN) free high quality seed supplier to the rest of Indonesia.

Constraints to production in potatoes and cabbage were determined through baseline surveys conducted in Bandung and Garut (West Java), Banjarnegara and Wonosobo (Central Java), Sembulun (NTB) and Gowa (South Sulawesi). Best bet management recommendations have been validated through learning by doing plots run through the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach. To ensure that best bet management recommendations are validated in a rigorous manner the project has modified the FFS methodology. The aim was to instigate demonstration plots that allowed the impact of single management changes to be measured by farmers. Previously the FFS have compared an ICM plot versus a conventional plot. This resulted in a wide range of management changes between the plots making it difficult to identify the cause of improvements in profits. We call the new methodology Farmer Initiated Learning (FIL).

This year individual learning-by-doing (LBD) demonstration plots for the 3rd cycle of FIL in West Java in 2009/10 were devised to test two of the five factors (potato late blight, seed quality) identified by the baseline survey. In addition a total of eight LBD plots were undertaken in South Sulawesi and NTB looking at IPM.

This system has also been used in the cabbage FIL and three LBD evaluations that examined the management of Clubroot using freshly applied and resistant varieties were sown on 5 FIL sites in Central Java in January 2010. LBD evaluations in FIL in NTB tested the response of potatoes to different rates of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) in 2009.

A PCN survey of the Sembalun area in NTB was completed and the area was found to be free of potato cyst nematode. Recent PCN cyst survival experiments funded by the project and conducted by Professor Mulyadi's team at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta have shown that PCN cysts are rapidly killed in inundated highland paddy soils like those found at Sembalun. As a result of this survey and the cyst decline findings, it may be possible to develop the highland paddy field areas of NTB as a safe potato seed provider to Indonesia.

Experiments have significantly advanced the understanding of the ecology and impact of the major natural enemy groups on diamondback moth populations in the region. The work has demonstrated the significant impact which Diadegma semiclausum can have on pest populations but has also clearly shown that the endemic generalist predatory fauna also contributes significantly to pest mortality. Agricultural practices which conserve these organisms will play an important role in the IPM of Brassica insect pests.

Work to improve seed potato production and handling systems in Australia has continued. An investigation into improving yield and quality in the seed in WA was conducted over the summer of 2009/10. Growing conditions and practices including harvest practices were examined to identify limits to yield and quality on 4 Atlantic, 2 Granola and 1 Bliss crop. The agronomy work has supported the continuing post harvest work using an electronic potato, the Smart Spud, which quantifies handling impacts and enables quantitative assessment of seed potato handling in Australia. Similarly a "hot box" test is being used to assess potato seed lot tolerance to break down under hot conditions. These tests should help the industry to maintain a consistently high out-turn of Australian export seed potatoes.

This project aims to improve the international competitiveness of the mango and mangosteen industries of Indonesia through the development of systems that will allow these industries to meet the requirements for technical market access and therefore deliver high quality fruit into the market.
The project initiation workshop was held in November 2008 and the project document was signed off by all partners in February 2009. As of April 2009 the project has been registered in Indonesia. However, the project budget has not yet been registered with the Indonesian Treasury (DIPA). This is a result of the new system developed to manage overseas finance in Indonesia. Until this registration with DIPA occurs funds cannot be transferred to Indonesian government agencies.
Work has commenced with baseline survey testing, aimed at testing the survey technique and questions. This was carried out by Julie Warren and Ibu Tini (Dinas) in East Java. At present the survey data is being analysed and the questions redeveloped for further work to begin in June 2009 when Penny Goldsmith, John Moulden and Ted Winston travel to Java.
In March 2009 Winny Wibawa, Susiami and Purnomo Nugroho travelled to Perth to meet with the Australian team and further develop the action plan. This was successful although not being able to transfer funds was highlighted as a major impediment. Agreement was made with DGH that the core critical project activities will be funded through DGH's budget until the issue is resolved thus reducing the risk of the project suffering any serious delays. The critical activities have now been prioritised for the next 12 months.
Francis De Lima has visited Indonesia twice (November 08 and April 09) to complete his audit of the capacity of the disinfestation facilities, including the Fruit Fly lab at Jatisari, the Fruit Fly Radiation lab at the National Nuclear Energy Agency and the Agency for Agricultural Quarantine's fumigation research facility. Results of the audit indicate that more funding is needed for the Fruit Fly lab at Jatisari to supply them with sufficient equipment for the VHT disinfestation work. Also, a suitable date needs to be set for Ir. Cahyaniati of the Crop Protection Centre, Ir. Achmad Nasroh Kuswadi of the National Nuclear Energy Agency and Pak Turhraadi Noehima Nasroh of the Agency for Agricultural Quarantine to visit Australia for training in their specific disinfestation experimental technique.
Work has commenced with the Centre for Tropical Fruit Studies in the Bogor Agricultural University with Dr Sobir and Professor Roedhy. A detailed activity plan has been developed and a number of suitable students have been identified to undertake some of this work focusing on mangosteen IPM, IVS propagation, internal disorder, post harvest disorder identification and post harvest quality. IPB has strengths in Mangosteen research and therefore will concentrate in this area of the project and IFTRI which has better linkages with the mango industry and will concentrate more on mango.
Meetings were held with the Sri Yuliani of the Post Harvest Centre Bogor, which also gave team members a chance to view the facilities at the centre. Currently they are involved in activities that are very close to those identified in the project's core activities. They were not identified in the initial scoping study as a potential partner and therefore currently not written into the project. Developing a collaborate relationship between IFTRI, IPB and the Post harvest centre has been identified as a key strategy that will help avoid duplication of activities within Indonesia.
Development of a wiki site for the project to aid communications is underway and will be up and running soon. This wiki site will be shared by other relevant ACIAR projects operating in Indonesia.

This project aims to improve the international competitiveness of the mango and mangosteen industries of Indonesia through the development of systems that will allow these industries to meet the requirements for technical market access and therefore deliver high quality fruit into the market.
The project initiation workshop was held in November 2008 and the project document was signed off by all partners in February 2009. As of April 2009 the project has been registered in Indonesia, and finally in April 2010, the project budget been registered with the Indonesian Treasury (DIPA). This is a result of the new system developed to manage overseas finance in Indonesia. Funds now can begin to be transferred to DGH and it is anticipated to the Nuclear energy agency and Quarantine. The project was able to transfer funds to IPB and IFTRI as of late 2009. This has resulted in a setback for the project and most of the major activities have been delayed until 2010. A contingency plan was put in place during the March 2009 visit to Perth by Winny Wibawa, Susiami and Purnomo Nugroho The plan prioritised activities and identified critical activities that needed to go ahead to avoid the project suffering any serious delays. Unfortunately, the worst case scenario occurred with DGH, Quarantine and the Nuclear Energy Agency setting back the timing of activities. The positive result however was that the accounts were opened with IPB and ICORD and funds have been transferred so work has proceeded well with these partners.
June 2009 John Moulden, Ted Winston and Penny Goldsmith travelled to Java, the purpose of the trip was to identify and set up trial sites for the RBMC traps, identify Mangosteen field work sites and develop the opportunity for collaboration with the Post harvest institute.
October 2009 Dr Roedhy travelled to Kununurra to assist in the development of the mango protocols for assessing maturity standards, market suitability for mango varieties, Dr Mizu undertook he same exercise in Mareeba January 2010. This will now enable the work to be undertaken this season on Gendong in Indonesia. Dr Robert Henriod will travel to Indonesia this season to assist in the setting up and running of this work.
Baseline survey has been completed with the mango industry, Needs analysis and supply chain mapping has been completed through a series of workshops with the mango and Mangosteen growers. This has given the project a good understanding of the needs and current capacity of the industry to meet export requirements.
Work is well under way with the Centre for Tropical Fruit Studies in the Bogor Agricultural University with Dr Sobir and Professor Roedhy focusing on mangosteen IPM, IVS propagation, internal disorder, post harvest disorder identification and post harvest quality. The end of this season will see the first results. The area of transportation damage in mangosteen has been assessed and new plastic crates have been introduced into the harvest system, this has reduced the amount of transportation damage to the fruit from the field to the packhouse.
A MOU between The Post Harvest Centre Bogor and IPB is being drafted so that post harvest work can commence this season.
Current Website for project is being constructed with the help of a University of Curtin intern, the main purpose of this will be for internal project communication the sharing of project information, documents etc.

This project aims to improve the international competitiveness of the mango and mangosteen industries of Indonesia through the development of systems that will allow these industries to meet the requirements for technical market access and therefore deliver high quality fruit into the market.
The project initiation workshop was held in November 2008 and the project document was signed off by all partners in February 2009. As of April 2009 the project has been registered in Indonesia. The budget was registered with Indonesian Treasury (DIPA) in December 2009 by DGH for the Indonesian financial year of 2010. However the National Nuclear Energy Agency and the Agency for Agricultural Quarantine were not able to register the budget for this financial year and as a result were unable to receive any funds. Whilst this has caused some delays in activities at this stage in the project, these have been manageable and alternative ways of funding activities have been pursued.
During March 2010 the mid season project workshop review was held giving an opportunity for all of the project team members to measure there activities against the objectives of the project.
Work has progressed very well with mangosteen; a number of approaches were looked at in addressing the quality deterioration during storage these included 1MCP, temperature management , wax, cytokine, and , MAP whilst some of these treatments did improve the shelf life and outturn quality of the stored fruit it still wasn't enough to have a major impact on export outturns by seas freight.

Initial work conducted on ant control looks very promising with the initial treatments reducing the infestation levels by some 70%, indicators are with further refinement of application method infestation levels could be reduced even further.

Work on ant, thrip and mite species has been able to identify some of the problem species and their link to scaring damage, verification work on this will be followed up this season
Several workshops were conducted with industry during the season, the first and second was aimed at mapping the existing mango and mangosteen supply chains. The third workshop was used as a training opportunity to improve the handling of export mango fruit and improve the outturn quality in the mango export markets.
A trial export consignment of Gedong to Hong Kong was conducted to monitor the export supply chain and assess the performance of the variety in the Hong Kong/ China markets. The trial was also combined with some market evaluation work of Indonesian mango varieties through several focus groups made up of consumers from Hong Kong and importers form both Hong Kong and Mainland China. Both exercises proved very successful and have generated some good quality information on the market segment and potential of Indonesian export mangoes.
A number of training activities were conducted during the year these were aimed at increasing the technical expertise of key staff members to undertake the next phase of activities in the project. These included training on Maturity assessments, Ethyl formate fumigation, Hot water treatments and trial design to meet international standards.

Interim report: covering period January to May 2009
A visit to the south central coast was held between February 9-26, 2009:
To visit field sites with potential for research
To attend the project inception meeting
Planning a visit to Australia of Vietnamese partners
To develop workplans for project activities
The following outcomes were developed at the inception meeting:
A project committee was established to review the directions, progress, gaps and overlaps and determine adjustments; comprising:
- Dr Gamini Keerisinghe ACIAR
- Australian Project Coordinator Rob Summers
- Australian Project Leaders, Richard Bell, Allan McKay, Peter Lane, Peter Slavich
- Vietnamese Project Leaders, Hoang Minh Tam, Nguyen Xuan Ba, Nguyen Duy Duc
- VAAS nominee
- Vietnamese partners, Phan Thi Giac Tam (plus IAS nominee, SOFRI nominee, RDCAH nominee,)
Project locations were identified through interaction with the Vietnamese partners after considering soil type, land use and the representative value of the site. The sites are:
- Ninh Thuan, Phuoc Dinh (Phuoc Nam Cashews)
- Phu Yen, An Chan
- Binh Dinh, Cat Hanh, Cat Hiep
An extension to the survey carried out by ACIAR Project SMCN-2003-035 "Improving the utilisation of water and soils resources for tree crop production in coastal areas of Vietnam and NSW" will include further information relevant to this project discussed below.
Workplans have been developed for the first 12 month showing the project activities and tasks, the responsible party, the timing of the activities and dependencies.
The contract was signed between the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia and ACIAR with the commencement date of January 2009 and the final MSA agreements were signed 20 May 2009. At the time of writing the project had not officially started as this finalised agreement has not been received from Vietnam and the initial payments have been delayed.
Although no milestones or outputs have fallen due by 31 May 2009 progress has been made during and since the inception meeting:
Discussions at the inception meeting identified an opportunity to collaborate with NSW DPI as part of the ACIAR project SMCN 2003/035. The Vietnamese partners will be at a training course and present information at the Biochar Conference, Coolangata in May. In the following week Dr Hoang Minh Tam and Mr Nguyen Thai Thinh will travel to W.A. to meet the Australian research staff who were not at the inception meeting, discuss details of the project and visit research sites. The visit was originally scheduled for September 2010 (attendance of Australian staff has delayed the May visit to Vietnam by Australian partners to June).
Initial marketing survey information collected in site visits after the inception meeting detailed in the travel report Feb 2009 has enabled an initial analysis of the information requirements and strategy of collecting the baseline information of Component 1.
An assessment of the survey by SMCN 2003/035 was completed and gaps in the survey for the purposes of this project were identified for a follow-up survey. A draft of the farm survey has been constructed by the Vietnamese partners with input from Australian researchers and will be finalised in June 2009 for implementation.
The detailed work plans were developed for the diagnosis of resources constraints using soil investigation and omission experimentation approach.
A conceptual model of nutrient flow in the local farming systems was developed.
The trial list of forage species was developed for integration into the local cropping systems in discussion with Dr Tam when in Perth.
Dr Tam and Mr Thinh visited Esperance, WA to see study sites on impact of land use on soil carbon.
A database of nutritive characteristics has been commenced including the commencement of collection of available feed information and commencement of literature reviews of cattle performance at HUAF and IAS.
The data needs for the CPCNS is being evaluated for a training course and a farming systems workshop for the specialist and provincial team is being planned. This will be finalised in Hue and Quy Nhon in June 2009.
Collection of available cattle nutrition information has commenced to assess gaps and develop an experimental plan.
Pham Hung Cuong at UQ has completed his literature review and planning is well under way for his experiment.
Future visits are scheduled in June 2009 to discuss the field trial program and survey initiation and in September 2009 for a workshop on monitoring and evaluation for impact assessment.
2009/2010 Progress Summary
Effort has focussed on a farm survey of 180 households from the three study sites to obtain the information on human resources, education level, land resources, cropping systems, socio-economic system, area and yield of major crops/livestock and fertiliser/manure use for crop production. This is critical for the project to better understand local farming systems; identify the characteristics of farming systems that could be used to plan R&D activities at each study site; provide benchmark data on the current crop production and practices for the proposed future project impact evaluation.
Preliminary market mapping and value chains of selected agricultural products, including beef cattle, cassava, cashew nut and mango has been completed. The gathering of data and information on grain legume (peanut) markets and value chain has started. The farm and household economic structure and systems have been identified and will be included in the market chain analysis.
Soil constraints were investigated through: a detailed SCAMP assessment at 16 sites on the major soils in the study area; a nutrient omission experiment on peanuts and tissue analysis of cashews. Deficiencies of a wide range of nutrients were the primary factors limiting crop production. Al toxicity appears to be limiting growth and deficiencies in K and Mo were quite clear. N and P also were limiting production and the impact of Zn and B limiting growth in peanuts needs to be further investigated.
Within the survey program 91 samples were collected to quantify the organic matter resources and potential nutrient supplies being used and traded.
In the low rainfall region (Ninh Thuan) a field experiment evaluated sowing windows and crop legume species for cashew/legume intercropping. Results suggested that early September was the optimum window to intercrop legumes with cashew, and peanut crop yield was consistently higher across the 4 sowing dates than cowpea and mungbean (although cowpea showed some potential for this region). In the high rainfall Binh Dinh province the use of rhizobium strains, Mo and biochar were investigated and preliminary results suggest that use of the commercial strain of inoculant, NC92, could improve peanut dry matter at flowering when coupled with low applications of N fertiliser.
Forage nurseries were established in Jan/Feb 2010 in Binh Dinh as a collaboration of Components 2 and 3. Twelve forage species were included in the nurseries: 4 perennial grasses, 4 perennial legumes, 3 annual legumes and 1 tree legume. The perennial grasses, Mulato II and Signal, the perennial legume, Siratro and the annual legumes, Lab lab and Cavalvade, showed good establishment and vigour. The forage nursery will be a useful resource for producing plant material for use in the 'best-bet' stage of the project where best bet strategies for cattle production are introduced in the extension program.
Detailed benchmarking of cattle management factors has focused on 5 households from two villages in each study commune, a total of 30 households. The monthly or bi-monthly survey includes a combination of biophysical monitoring and questions regarding economics and labour allocations. The benchmarking process involved group discussions and interviews, including farmers, DARD representatives and commune leaders.
More specific cattle nutrition experimental objectives will be developed once the baseline work had been completed, and will be a major activity for the next 12 months. Farmer interviews have helped clarify the issues relevant to farmer profitability and suitable to be addressed by the project team. Although the details are still being developed, cattle nutrition experimentation will focus on the most profitable use of locally available feed components for growing and finishing cattle.
Importantly, good relationships are developing with DARD and commune leaders and extension officers, which will help the project to have impact beyond the life of the project. We have presented the objectives and process of the project to these stakeholders on multiple occasions, and they have expressed their support and a desire to remain involved and informed. In each commune we also have the extension officer involved in the benchmarking process, including liaising with farmers and participating in data collection.
Research is being carried out in Western Australia by the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA, Murdoch University, University of Western Australia and CSIRO. A survey of 100 sites was completed in south-west Australia to understand the role of organic carbon management in nutrient retention. Field experiments were established at Esperance in the South East of Western Australia on sandy soil. Compost is being compared with biochar made from straw or manure to examine their impacts on soil biology and the efficient uptake of nutrients from fertiliser.

ACIAR and the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) have agreed that an integrated research and development project on Sustainable and Profitable Crop and Livestock Systems should be developed for the South-central coastal region of Vietnam at a stakeholder workshop held in March 2008. This in turn led to the development of the current project which commencedoperation on 1 January, 2009.
The overall aim of this multi-disciplinary project is to identify and facilitate adoption of promising resource management practices for sustainable and profitable crop and livestock production systems best suited to local conditions that enable improved market engagement.
The project Baseline survey was concluded for the sandy coastal zone of the South Central region of Vietnam where people's livelihoods are largely dependent on crop and livestock farming in these inherently poor soils. The objective of this study was to gain better understanding of the local farming systems of the sandy areas in the focus communes of the three study provinces. Based on a diagnosis analysis and Participatory Rural Approach (PRA) works, villages from three communes were selected: Phu Kim and An Duc (Cat Trinh commune, Phu Cat district, Binh Dinh province); Phu Qui, Phu Thanh and Phu Phong (An Chan commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province) and; Son Hai 1, Son Hai 2, Bau Ngu and Tu Thien (Phuoc Dinh commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province). By a targeting sampling method, 180 households from the three study siteswere chosen.Dependence on agriculture is the typical feature of the economy in all study sites. Most agricultural activities depend on rainfall: lack of water or drought was recorded in most study sites. There is a trend occurring in cropping patterns to more diversification. In the cropping systems, food crops including rice, peanut and cassava are the most popular. In the animal production systems, pig, buffalo, cattle and sheep are raised by most households. Average cattle numbers range from 3.5 (Cat Trinh and An Chan), to 14 (Phuoc Dinh).
Most farms are small, with little possibility for expansion. The only unused land potential is in sandy land in the lowlands and coastal strip. The crop productivity is still low due to infertile land and shortage of water. For most households, therefore few options exist to improve incomes other than increasing production from their limited agricultural plots. In order to reach this goal, the improvement of soil fertility based on the locally available organic resources as well as the application of appropriate farming systems in the sandy zone are very important.
Farming systems in Cat Trinh and An Chan communes are similar. Here, rice is still the dominant crop. By contrast, Phuoc Dinh commune is characterized by high proportion of cash crops like watermelon, chillipepper, tomato, peanut and little rice.Livestock mainly includes pig, cattle and poultry in three communes and there are also goat and sheep in Phuoc Dinh commune. However, the numbers of households with cattle was still small in all 3 communes.
In a follow up surveyin the same three communes, 91 organic materials were collected in 2009 to examine the existing practices of using organic manures, the characteristics of local organic amendments and to assess their potential contribution in supplying nutrients to crops. The samples included: cattle manure, buffalo manure, pig manure, sheep manure, plant samples (peanut stem, cassava leaf, corn leaf, straw) and ash from crops.Farmers in the selected communes utilize organic materials for various purposes such as fuel, soil amendment or animal feed, or else they are burnt on the fields. The surveyed households apply farmyard manure (FYM) for crops; however, amounts of FYM used for crops are very low compared with crops' nutrient requirements. There were no significant differences in characteristics (C, total P) of organic samples used by farmers in the 3 surveyed communes. However, each kind of manure and organic material has different characteristics depending on the animal type and amount of added materials, method and time of storage. Among different kinds of FYM, pig manure has better quality than others, followed by cattle manure, while peanut residues have good characteristics as compared with other plant residues.
The market analysis work has focussed on conducting and reporting value chain analyses for key agricultural products within the focus provinces of Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen and Binh Dinh. Value chain analyses have been completed for cashew, cassava, beef cattle and peanuts and reports have been circulated seeking feedback to DARD's and to project partners at the Annual Review meeting in February 2011. The mango value chain report has now been completed and will be circulated for feedback from the DARD officers (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development).
Further work is still required to develop detailed value chain improvement strategies based on the findings of the value chain analyses and discussions with DARD and project staff.
A successful value chain training workshop was held for component 1 staff and key DARD staff in HCMC in August 2010 in order to consolidate and standardise the methodology used for the project value chain analyses.
In July 2010, following requests from DARD and ASISOV management, a value chain analysis of sesame was programmed into the project. Sesame is a high value product in strong market demand and can potentially complement grain legume cropping on sandy soils in Vietnam. ASISOV staff have responsibility for conducting the sesame research which is valuable in focusing the ASISOV contribution to component 1.
An Excel-based farm economic model is being developed to allow the simple economic comparison of farm enterprises and farming systems economic performance. Data collected in a detailed farm economic survey of a small number of smallholders in the 3 focus provinces has been used to frame the model. The beta-version of the model is expected to be completed in July 2011. This is intended a simple tool for reviewing potential financial outcomes from value chain improvements and changes to on-farm cropping/livestock activities.
Soil constraints were investigated through: a detailed SCAMP assessment at 37 sites on the major soils in the study areas (11 in Ninh Thuan; 10 in Phu Yen; 15 in Phu Cat); four nutrient omission experiments on peanuts and tissue analysis of peanut, mango and cashews. Deficiencies of a wide range of nutrients were the primary factors limiting crop production. Deficiencies in K, S, Cu, B and Mo were consistently found in peanut in Phu Cat district.Even though many profiles are strongly acid, Al toxicity does not appear to be limiting growth. Nitrogen was also limiting production and the impact of hardpan development (10-25 cm) on growth in peanuts needs to be further investigated. Rhizobium inocuation was not able to overcome the need for 30 kg N/ha as a basal N application. Biochar improved peanut production on sands, particularly in combination with manure and NPK fertiliser.
Nutrient-balance exercises are considered as instruments to provide indicators for the sustainability of agricultural systems. Studieswere undertaken at field plot and farm levels in farming systems of South Central provinces to quantify inputs and outputs of macronutrients (NPK) over one year duration. Our results indicate that the N balances at the 30 studied farms were positive showing that 50 to 70 % of imported N, mainly as fertilizer, was not exported from the farm. Phosphorus balance was also always positive at farm level, accounting for 40 to 75% of P input. Potassium balance was positive in most of the farms. More detailed N-P-K balances were established for field plots representing the following cropping patterns over two growing seasons: rice - rice, rice - fallow, peanut - fallow, peanut + cassava, hot pepper, eggplant, forage. Nitrogen balance was largely positive for rice-rice plots; N imports were less than exports in the other cropping patterns. P imports exceeded P exports in all studied plots, whereas K exports always exceeded K imports, more especially for rice-rice and hot pepper, eggplant and forage. These results suggest that macronutrient losses occur in farms, out of the fields, especially for K. These are likely to be in managing crop residues, in farmyard manures processing, in animal faeces recycling. The economic and environmental consequences of nutrient imbalances warrant further attention to optimize nutrient cycling, and utilisation of organic resources, in local farming systems. In the case of K, negative balances at field level raise the question of impact of this element in limiting crop yield, and the mechanism of K loss.
In the low rainfall region (Ninh Thuan) two field experiments evaluated sowing windows for crop legume species under cashew/legume intercropping on granite sands. Results for 2009 suggested that early September was the optimum window to intercrop legumes with cashew, and peanut crop yield was consistently higher across the 4 sowing dates than cowpea and mungbean (although cowpea showed good potential). In 2010, the early September sowing was also best for mung bean and cowpea, but not for peanut. Cowpea appears the most promising legumes for this cropping system, but at least another year's testing is needed to validate these findings.
In the high rainfall Binh Dinh province the use of rhizobium strains, Mo and biochar were investigated and results suggest that use of the commercial strain of inoculant, NC92, could improve peanut dry matter at flowering only when coupled with low applications of N fertiliser. However, overall, 30 kg N/ha was the best treatment, out yielding Mo and or Rhizobium inoculation. Nodule formation on peanut, even with inoculation by NC92 and Mo supply, was slow on these sandy soils.
Forage nurseries were established in Jan/Feb 2010 in Binh Dinh. Twelve forage species were included in the nurseries: 4 perennial grasses, 4 perennial legumes, 3 annual legumes and 1 tree legume. The perennial grasses, Mulato II and Signal, the perennial legume, Siratro and the annual legumes, Lab lab and Cavalvade, showed good establishment and initial vigour. After 15 months and 5 cuts, Mulato II and Paspalaum atratum were the most productive forages. None of the legumes forages produced harvestable dry matter after the 3 rd cut due to severe waterlogging effects in the wet season, and Leucanea being initially harvested too severely. The forage nursery will be useful as a resource for producing plant material for cattle best bet activities.
A forage experiment was established to assess the most promising forages and expose farmers to the species. The experiment was located on 15 farms across three provinces, with each farm as a replicate. In addition to the researcher controlled plots, an area of each forage was available for farmer use and experimentation. The experiment was planted mid-2010, however short cutting too close to the base of the plants before the rainy season severely affected many of the replicates, including some which became completely submerged in the peak of the wet season. These conditions provided an opportunity to show the beneficial characteristics of Paspalum atratum, and also to demonstrate the potential benefits of not cutting the plants too short during the rainy season. The experiment is ongoing and is being assessed by harvests for yield, leaf to stem ratio, forage quality, palatability, and farmer assessment.
In Western Australia,research being carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA and Murdoch University has focussed on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation, and on biochar and clay amendments of sands. A survey of 100 sites was completed in the south coastal region of West Australia to understand the effect of land use onSOC in sands. A comparison of SOC between perennial (> 10 years age) and annual pastures in the high rainfall zone of the south coast showed no difference in SOC. Modelling with Roth-C indicated that the perennial pasture system would need to be retained for 30 years or more before measureable increases in SOC were obtained. This suggests very slow accumulation of SOC on these sands.
Field experiments were established near Esperance in the south coastal region of West Australia on sandy soils. Compost was compared with biochar made from straw or manure to examine their impacts on soil biology and the uptake of nutrients from P fertiliser. Both P and biochar application increased wheat yield in 2010 but the effects were independent. Spading to mix clay into sandy soils was most effective in increasing serradella pasture yield when incorporated to 15 cm depth.
Cattle 'biophysical monitoring' activities were concluded in the three study provinces. Information was collected from 10 households per province, including cattle monitoring, feed monitoring, and household data, particularly information on income and labour for cattle production. In Cat Trinh and An Chan, cattle systems included cow-calf, growing and fattening, and was mainly undertaken by adults. In contrast, cattle production in Phuoc Dinh is predominantly the cow-calf system, and the children provide much of the labour for cattle husbandry. Cattle in Cat Trinh and An Chan typically lose weight in the dry season from April-June, when feed is scarce and of poor quality. There are many types of feeds for cattle. The roughages include rice straw, native grasses, sown grasses, peanut straw, water spinach, and maize stover. Supplements are also used, including cassava powder, rice bran, corn meal, rice grain, fishmeal, and urea. Cattle are often provided feed in their stalls after grazing. In Phuoc Dinh less crop residues are available, and even though some crop residues such as rice straw are transported into the commune, feed is often limiting, and cattle weight is seasonally dependent.
Approximately fifteen farmers in each province were chosen to be involved in the 'best-bet' research process. A plan was developed for each household, based on their resources, interests, and aspirations. All households receive regular visits to check on progress, help the farmers, provide encouragement, and answer questions. Best-bet activities include introduction of new forages, improved forage management and use, tree legume fences, forage preservation, controlled mating, preferential feeding, fattening techniques, and manure use. In addition to individual training workshops are being held to address these activities. For example, in March 2011 a workshop on forage planting and management was held.
A cattle feeding experiment was undertaken at IAS Ruminant Research and Training Centre (RRTC) in late 2010 and early 2011. The aim of the research was to assess the growth and nutrient digestibility responses of Brahman-cross cattle to concentrate supplementation. Twenty Brahman-cross cattle were fed a basal diet (rice straw and Guinea grass) and supplement at 0 - 2.4% of live weight. The supplement consisted of cassava chips, rice bran, crushed rice, fish meal, urea, and salt. Some chemical analyses are still being completed, and data analysis is being undertaken. Interim results suggest that live weight gain increased with supplementation up to 1.2% of live weight, and plateaued at greater levels of supplementation. Feed conversion ratio increased with the level of supplementation.
The data from five cattle feeding experiments undertaken at HUAF were compared with simulation results using the Large Ruminant Nutrition System (LRNS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictions of dry matter intake (DMI) andaverage daily gain (ADG) of Vietnamese Yellow (Vang) purebred and crossbred (Vang with Red Sindhior Brahman) bulls fed under Vietnamese conditions using two levels of solution (1 and 2) of the LargeRuminant Nutrition System (LRNS) model.The results showed that the model is able to sufficiently predict weight gain of such Vietnamese cattle.
Overall the project is running to the workplan and already generating preliminary results. Capacity building through scholarships, training researchers and extension officers has been ongoing. There has been strong participation from Vietnamese researchers, commune staff, farmers and importantly the officers of the regional DARDs. Assessment of the economic analysis of crops is highlighting potential improvements as are the investigations into plant nutrition which are already showing clear direction for research and extension. The farmer and regional participation in animal nutrition and husbandry extension and forage trials has seen adoption already beginning to spread.

The project aims to increase crop productivity, profitability and sustainability in the drylands of northern Iraq through development, evaluation and promotion of conservation cropping technologies involving zero-tillage, stubble mulching, improved crop cultivars and better crop management. Project activity is focussed in Ninevah Governorate.
The objectives are:
1. To demonstrate and promote uptake of "best-bet" improved varieties and crop management systems for wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes
2. To evaluate and select new, improved germplasm of wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes for promotion in demonstration programs
3. To evaluate and select new, improved crop management technologies for promotion in demonstration programs
4. To facilitate agricultural planning and development through utilisation of GIS and crop modelling
5. To develop, evaluate and promote efficient and sustainable local seed production and supply systems
6. To monitor and evaluate adoption and impacts of project technologies, and identify enabling policy options to enhance uptake by farmers
7. To enhance capacity of Iraqi research and extension programs to develop and promote improved conservation cropping technologies.
The project commenced with the first reporting/planning meeting at ICARDA in September 2008, with 17 participants from Iraq, 7 from Australia and 20 from ICARDA. Activities and achievements from the previous project (CIM/2004/024) were presented and the 2008-09 workplan for the new project developed and circulated.
Under the demonstration objective, on-farm demonstrations were established as planned at 12 locations in Iraq evaluating wheat, barley, chickpea, and lentil lines under zero-tillage (ZT), chisel cultivation and conventional cultivation (CC). ZT area in the demonstrations covered 52ha. Six collaborating farmers independently sowed 440ha of ZT crops using a Rama seeder modified for ZT. The year was very dry with <150mm of rainfall at half the locations. Inspections in April-May 2009 confirmed that harvests were possible in only 4 sites, with crops failing because of low rainfall in the other 8 sites. Field days were held at Alqush on 7 January (12 farmers and staff); Telkief on 24 May (18 farmers and staff); and Alqush on 25 May (16 farmers and staff).
In linked demonstrations in Syria, 2070ha of ZT crops were established by 41 farmers in on-farm comparisons of ZT vs CC using locally-made ZT seeders. These farmer crops were inspected and discussed to promote understanding of ZT/stubble mulching with 12 farmers and 12 scientists from Iraq and 7 scientists and 10 farmers from Syria during training-study visits on ZT research, development and seeders in the spring of 2009.
Under the germplasm and crop management research objectives, the project conducted a total of 66 research trials. The University of Mosul and State Board of Agricultural Research Ninevah established 50 trials: 31 on evaluation of elite lines of wheat, barley, chickpea and lentil and varieties of vetch, lathyrus, saltbush, safflower, oats and peas; 19 on crop management and agronomy involving mixtures, rotations, polymer gel, hardpan amelioration and IPM. Trials were regularly inspected and evaluated. Unfortunately, crop growth was poor in many sites due to the very dry year, with reasonable growth and harvests expected from only 12 trials in 4 locations. Harvesting commenced in May/June.
At ICARDA, 16 trials for technology refinement/verification and Iraqi scientist and farmer training were conducted on crop growth under ZT and CC, local seeder performance under ZT and evaluation of alternative crops (oilseeds, oats, peas). All trials established and grew well with 280mm of rain. Growth was consistently better from ZT than CC and early than late sowing. Locally-made ZT seeders performed well. Trials were harvested in May/June.
Under the capacity enhancement objective, there were 91 Iraqi scientist and technician training visits to ICARDA with 74 participating in 10 formal training courses and 17 participating in the reporting-planning meeting where Australian collaborators gave 3 seminars on ZT machinery development, participatory extension and germplasm evaluation under ZT. The formal training focused on specific areas related to project implementation: adoption and impact analysis; seed multiplication and marketing; experimental methods and statistics; ZT seeder principles and operation; variety description and maintenance; GIS/remote sensing; germplasm improvement and breeding; and participatory extension methodology/practice. Australian collaborators delivered 3 of these courses.
In a May 2009 study visit, 11 farmers from Iraq and 8 from Syria spent a week inspecting and discussing ZT research and local farmer demonstrations in northern Syria. This was a very significant visit which enhanced farmer knowledge of conservation cropping systems and encouraged farmer involvement in development and evaluation of ZT/stubble mulching systems in Ninevah and Syria.
Six Iraqi project scientists attended several other significant capacity enhancement opportunities closely related to project activities:
a) one Iraqi economist undertook impact and adoption analysis training at an ACIAR-sponsored Crawford Fund Master Class in India in March 2009.
b) three Iraqi cereal breeders undertook crop breeding and seed production training at an AusAID sponsored course followed by a conservation cropping study tour in Australia in June-July 2009.
c) two Iraqi scientists/project leaders participated in, and presented a project poster at, the 4th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture and undertook a study tour of ACIAR-supported conservation cropping projects in India in February 2009.
During the year, project findings and research and demonstration trials were shown to and discussed with 50 farmers at field days and 21 agricultural engineering students in Iraq and over 500 visitors at ICARDA, which exposed the project and technology widely.
Detailed project information including project documents, reports and presentations is available through the ICARDA web site (http://www.icarda.cgiar.org/ACIAR/Index.htm). The website averaged150 hits/month during July 2008 - April 2009.
Since ZT technology was first exposed and introduced into Iraq by the previous project in 2006-07, the known area of ZT crops has increased to 489ha in 2008-09.In project-related development in Syria where the technology was similarly unknown and untested, total ZT area from project interactions was about 2126ha in 2008-09. A further 160ha of ZT crops is being grown in research and development projects involving Syrian research and extension groups. The recent increase in awareness, research and development on the technology, the keen involvement of farmers and seeder manufacturers in testing and taking up ZT sowing and seeder fabrication, and the higher yields and lower costs being experienced with the technology, provide a good foundation and confidence for wider adoption and impact. However, it has been difficult and disheartening for researchers, extension officers and farmers to develop, promote and evaluate better varieties and conservation cropping technologies during two successive severe droughts. We will hope for a wetter year in Iraq and Syria in 2009-10.

The project aims to increase crop productivity, profitability and sustainability in the drylands of northern Iraq through development, evaluation and promotion of conservation cropping technologies involving zero-tillage, stubble mulching, improved crop cultivars and better crop management. Project activity is focussed in Ninevah Governorate.
The objectives are:
1. To demonstrate and promote uptake of "best-bet" improved varieties and crop management systems for wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes
2. To evaluate and select new, improved germplasm of wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes for promotion in demonstration programs
3. To evaluate and select new, improved crop management technologies for promotion in demonstration programs
4. To facilitate agricultural planning and development through utilisation of GIS and crop modelling
5. To develop, evaluate and promote efficient and sustainable local seed production and supply systems
6. To monitor and evaluate adoption and impacts of project technologies, and identify enabling policy options to enhance uptake by farmers
7. To enhance capacity of Iraqi research and extension programs to develop and promote improved conservation cropping technologies.
The second project reporting/planning meeting was held at ICARDA on 27 September-1 October 2009, with 31 participants from Iraq, 3 from Australia and 15 from ICARDA. The Australian Ambassador and the First Secretary (Development Assistance) from the Australian Embassy in Baghdad attended and opened/closed the meeting. The Indian leader of the ACIAR project on enhancing wheat quality from the Directorate of Wheat Research in India also attended the meeting to share and discuss project experiences. Activities and achievements from 2008-09 were presented and the 2009-10 workplan developed and agreed.
In Ninevah, demonstrations of ZT, chisel cultivation and traditional cultivation with early/late planting using a local variety of barley, bread wheat, and durum wheat were established at 13 locations with 15 farmers. Lentil and chickpea were included at several sites. Rainfall (230-740mm) and harvests were good at 11 locations. Demonstrations covered 168 ha, with 56ha of ZT.
Three farmers grew 1025ha of ZT using their locally-modified modified Rama or John Shearer seeders. Thirteen farmers grew nearly 700ha of ZT crops using 3 Syrian 4m-wide trailed ZT tine seeders and one Syrian 4m-wide trailed ZT disc seeder. Overall, about 1800ha of ZT crops were grown by 31 farmers in Ninevah.
Field days were held in Ninevah at four demonstration sites. The first was arranged by farmers involved in ZT seeder modification at Nimroud on 20 February 10 (25 farmers-staff). Others were arranged by DOA at Mahalabia on 20 April 10 (31 farmers-staff), Telkief on 6 May 10 (42 farmers-staff) and Alshekhanon on 13 May 10 (80 farmers-staff).
In farmer demonstrations with collaborators in northern Syria, some 200- 250 farmers established about 8,000-10,000ha of ZT crop. Field days were held at Salamiya on 20 April (200 participants), Kamishley on 22 April (250) and Jarjanaz on 28 April (350).
Demonstrations and field days were used in training visits by Iraqi scientists and farmers, to inspect and discuss ZT activities with Syrian researchers, extension officers and farmers. Many Iraqis initially sceptical about ZT, low seed rates and early planting were very positive by the end of their visits.
In Ninevah, 54 research trials were conducted under the germplasm and crop management research objectives. The University of Mosul and State Board of Agricultural Research Ninevah established 41 trials: 28 on evaluation of elite lines and varieties of wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, vetch, lathyrus, saltbush, safflower, oats and peas; 13 on crop management involving mixtures, rotations, polymer gel, hardpan amelioration and IPM. Trials generally grew well with harvesting in May/June.
At ICARDA, 14 trials for technology refinement/verification and Iraqi scientist and farmer training were conducted on: crop and variety performance under ZT and CC; local seeder performance; time, seed rate and depth of sowing; comparison of local ZT seeders; evaluation of alternative crops (oilseeds, oats, peas); and increasing wheat frequency in wheat-lentil-camelina rotations. All trials established and grew well with 270mm of rain. Growth was consistently better from ZT than CC and early than late sowing. Locally-made ZT seeders performed well. Cereals and legumes seemed to do best when planted early with 100kg/ha of seed planted at 4-8cm depth. Trials were harvested in May/June.
Experience in 2008-09 with the first 3 local Syrian-made ZT seeders by farmers and researchers identified needs for stronger, wider, trailed or 3PL seeders with more-widely spaced tines and press wheels. Seven new models (10 units) were made 2009-10 in collaboration with El Bab, Qabbasin and Kamishley manufacturers. Four seeders were sent to Ninevah for evaluation and use in farmer demonstrations. These have worked well with several requiring some adjustment and strengthening.
In Ninevah, was not possible to engage local manufacturers in ZT seeder fabrication. However, three local farmers, one the owner of the Nimroud demonstration site, continued innovative ZT modification and experimentation with local seeders, developing and testing robust and effective tines and narrow points in collaboration with Australian specialists. The farmers organised and funded a successful field day on 20 February attended by 25 farmers-scientists, showing and describing their positive experiences with ZT seeder modification and ZT crops. This farmer leadership in developing, testing, demonstrating and promoting modified ZT seeders is thought by project leaders to be a first for Ninevah/Iraq, and represents a major outcome and impact from the project.
There were major efforts in Ninevah to develop on-farm seed production. Foundation seed production of bread wheat, durum wheat and barley varieties was commenced at Rashidiya RS. Some 225ha of wheat (15 vars) and barley (4 vars) was grown in 10 locations by 21 seed production farmers; these will form the foundation of project-led village-based seed production enterprises.
In capacity enhancement at ICARDA, there were 77 Iraqi scientist and technician training visits with 47 participating in 12 formal training courses and 30 in the annual meeting where one Australian collaborator gave a seminar on climate change. The training remained targeted, with Australian partners delivering 3 of the courses, and focused on specific areas related to the project: Socio-economic planning and evaluation; GIS landuse/cover mapping; Crop management and post harvest operations in quality seed production; ZT plot seeder assembly, operation and maintenance; Advanced design and analysis of experiments; Best practices for collecting and conserving genetic resources; Participatory extension; Iraqi farmers ZT study visit; Variety identification and maintenance; Data management, ANOVA, regression: Excel and Genstat; GIS/Remote sensing; ZT and agronomy research experience. In addition, 14 collaborating Syrian scientists also participated in some of these courses.
There were two very significant visits, one by 18 Iraqi and 14 Syrian farmers, and one by 16 Iraqi and 8 Syrian extension officers, to inspect and discuss ZT research, farmer experiences with ZT, and ZT seeder fabrication across northern Syria. The groups attended three major field days with 200-350 participants in Salamiya, Kamishley and Jarjanaz. These visits greatly enhanced knowledge of ZT and effective ways to undertake participatory R, D and E with demonstrations and field days.
Seven trainees travelled to Australia on study visits focused on ZT, hay and seed production at UniAdelaide (3 participants), soil and plant nutrition at AgWA in Albany (1 participant), weed management at UniAdelaide (2 participants) and a PhD on conservation cropping at UniWA (1 participant).
During the year, project findings and research and demonstration trials were inspected and discussed with 175 farmers and staff at field days in Iraq. In Syria, 800 farmers and staff attended project field days in Salamiya, Idleb and Kamishley. At ICARDA, 100 Iraqi project staff and 300 visitors inspected and/or discussed project research trials. These visits exposed the project and ZT technology widely in the region and beyond. As an example, the Minister for Agriculture from Lebanon visited in mid-May 2010 and was surprised and impressed that crops could be grown with ZT and stubble retention; he has since requested specifications of project-developed ZT seeders and manufacturer details and plans to purchase seeders to promote ZT R&D in Lebanon.
The project generated considerable publicity and media coverage in Australia, with three articles published in development magazines and many reports in the rural press and on ABC radio and TV, including features on Late Night Live, Bush Telegraph and Landline. Detailed project information including project documents, reports and presentations is available through the ICARDA web site (http://www.icarda.cgiar.org/ACIAR/Index.htm).
Since ZT technology was first exposed and introduced into Iraq by the previous project in 2006-07, the known area of ZT crops has increased to 1,800ha in 2009-10.In project-related development in Syria where the technology was similarly little known or tested, total ZT area from project interactions was about 8,000-10,000ha in 2009-10. A further 700ha of ZT crops was grown in research and development projects involving Syrian research and extension groups. ICARDA grew about 200ha of ZT crops in trials and rotation/seed production areas. The on-going increase in awareness, research and development on the technology, the keen involvement of manufacturers and farmers in ZT seeder fabrication and testing and taking up ZT, and the higher yields and lower costs being experienced, provide a good foundation and confidence for wider adoption and impact. The more favourable year in 2009-10 has encouraged farmer enthusiasm and confidence in Ninevah and Syria.

The project aims to increase crop productivity, profitability and sustainability in the drylands of northern Iraq through development, evaluation and promotion of conservation cropping technologies involving zero-tillage, stubble mulching, improved crop cultivars and better crop management. Project activity is focussed in Ninevah Governorate.
The objectives are:
1. To demonstrate and promote uptake of "best-bet" improved varieties and crop management systems for wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes
2. To evaluate and select new, improved germplasm of wheat, barley and pulse and forage legumes for promotion in demonstration programs
3. To evaluate and select new, improved crop management technologies for promotion in demonstration programs
4. To facilitate agricultural planning and development through utilisation of GIS and crop modelling
5. To develop, evaluate and promote efficient and sustainable local seed production and supply systems
6. To monitor and evaluate adoption and impacts of project technologies, and identify enabling policy options to enhance uptake by farmers
7. To enhance capacity of Iraqi research and extension programs to develop and promote improved conservation cropping technologies.
The second project reporting/planning meeting was held at ICARDA on 19-23 September 2010, with 45 participants: 30 from Iraq, 3 from Australia and 12 from ICARDA. 2008-09 activities and achievements were presented and the 2009-10 workplan developed/agreed.
In Ninevah, demonstrations of ZT versus traditional cultivation with high and low seed rates with barley, bread wheat and durum wheat were established at 13 locations with 13 farmers. Chickpea was included at the Al Kosh site. Rainfall varied from 123 to 547mm with harvests good in 10 locations. Demonstrations covered 168 ha, with 161ha of ZT.
Numbers of farmers and areas of ZT outside the demonstrations were as follows:
- 20 farmers grew 5135ha of ZT using their modified local seeders
- 1 farmer grew 30ha of ZT using a new ZT seeder made by farmers/Riad Hamdoun Engineering Mosul
- 6 farmers grew 483ha of ZT crops using the three 4m-wide trailed ZT tine seeders from Syria
- area grown using 14 new Syrian seeders funded by USA project in Twajna, Hamdania unreported
Overall, 6000ha of ZT crops were grown by 54 farmers in Ninevah. About 80% of this area was actual adoption, by farmers using their own or a rented/borrowed ZT seeder.
Field days were held in Ninevah at demonstration sites in Al Namroud on 14 May, Al Kosh on 15-6 May and Tel Kief on 23-24 May, with some 120 farmers and technicians attending from Ninevah and neighbouring Anbar, Kirkuk and Wasit Governorates. There were presentations and inspections of ZT demonstrations with wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea and lentil; seed rate comparisons; and new oat and pea crop introductions. Farmers were very interested in local ZT seeders and the excellent performance of ZT crops.
In linked participatory extension in Syria, farmer demonstrations were established in 11 locations across north and west Syria. Some 450+ farmers established 15,000+ha of ZT crops. About 70% of this area was actual adoption, by farmers using their own or a rented or borrowed ZT seeder. The rest was sown with local ZT seeders provided without cost or charge by ICARDA, Aga Khan Foundation and Aleppo Agricultural Machinery Center.
Autumn field days were held in Syria in October-November at 9 Aga Khan on-farm demonstration sites at planting of ZT/CC treatments. A spring field day planned on 3 May for the Extension Training Course was cancelled due to security concerns and replaced with visits to Aga Khan farmers and the GCSAR Research Station in Salamiya.
Some ZT farmer fields, as well as research trials at ICARDA, were used during training courses involving Iraqi and Syrian researchers, extension officers and farmers, and for many visitors, to inspect and discuss ZT. It was a first exposure for many to trials and demonstrations on crop management issues such as ZT, low seed rates and early planting and they were impressed by possibilities for improved yields and reduced costs.
In Ninevah, 33 research trials were conducted, with 23 at UniMosul and SBAR on evaluation of elite lines and varieties of wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, faba bean, vetch, lathyrus, oats and peas and 10 at UniMosul on crop management involving weed surveys, hardpan amelioration, press wheels, ZT vs CC/herbicide comparisons in wheat and irrigation-fertilizer responses in peas. Trials grew well with harvesting in May/June.
At ICARDA, 14 trials for ZT technology verification/refinement and Iraqi scientist and farmer training were conducted on: crop and variety performance under ZT and CC; time, seed rate and depth of sowing; evaluation of alternative crops (oilseeds, oats, peas); and increasing wheat frequency in wheat-lentil-camelina rotations. All trials established and grew well with 259mm of rain. Growth was generally better from ZT than CC and early than late sowing. Cereals and legumes did best with early planting, 50-100kg/ha seed rate, 4-8cm seeding depth, and press wheels. Trials were harvested in May/June.
In Iraq, local ZT seeder fabrication continued with the Ninevah farmer group Eighteen ZT modification kits costing $1,200 were made with 17 fitted to farmer seeders and one given to the University of Mosul for teaching. These 17 new seeders, plus the 3 prototypes made earlier, were used to sow 5135ha of ZT crops. A new 2.3m ZT seeder for small farmers was fabricated by the farmer group together with Riad Hamdoun Engineering in Mosul and used to sow 30ha on one farmer field. The farmer group set up and registered the "Mosul Conservation Farming Group" and hopes to interact with other No Till Farmer's Associations.
In Syria, collaboration on ZT seeder fabrication was expanded to include 3 more manufacturers in north eastern Syria, who all produced excellent ZT seeders. There are now 7 manufacturers in Syria, which provides more diversity and locations for purchase and maintenance by Syrian and Iraqi farmers and projects. Between 2008 to mid-2011, Syrian manufacturers had made 65 ZT seeders for local and regional clients.
Major efforts by DOA, UniMosul and SBAR to develop on-farm seed production continued. Spike/line selection and production of foundation seed of wheat and barley varieties continued. New varieties from ICARDA were introduced into the program. The 21 VBSE farmer seed growers planted 100t of certified durum wheat purchased with funds provided by the Ninevah Governor and 83t of seed produced in 2009-10 and expect, with access to irrigation, to harvest over 1820t of seed. This would exceed the project target of 9 VBSE groups producing 100t of seed.
Major efforts were also made to undertake the socio-economic survey on adoption and impact of project technologies (especially ZT) and technical and financial aspects of farmer seed production. Following the training course on surveying and data collection at ICARDA in February, participating UniMosul and DOA staff arranged and coordinated surveys to collect data from 500 farmers, from demonstration locations and from seed producers. Surveying is proceeding following harvest and, once data is assembled in Ninevah, it will be analysed and evaluated in Baghdad.
In capacity enhancement at ICARDA, there were 73 Iraqi scientist and technician training visits with 43 participating in 6 formal training courses and 30 in the annual meeting where one Australian collaborator gave a seminar on achievements of the ACIAR Project on enhancing profitability, production and quality of wheat in India. This training, with Australian partners delivering two of the courses and an Iraqi partner delivering one, was focused on specific priority areas for the project: Photography and presentations; Seed enterprises and marketing; Socio-economic surveying and evaluation; ZT seeder design, fabrication and operation; Variety identification, maintenance and seed production; and Participatory extension. In addition, 24 scientists, farmers and machinery manufacturers from Syria and North Africa also participated in the ZT and extension courses. The mix of trainees from different countries provides rich exchange of experiences and ideas.
Two visits, one by 9 Iraqi, 13 Syrian, and 5 North African/Turkish scientists and seeder manufacturers for ZT seeder training, and the other by 13 Iraqi and 6 Syrian extension officers for participatory extension training, which involved field visits to collaborating machinery manufacturers, farmers, extension offices and research stations, were valuable in enhancing knowledge of ZT seeders and effective participatory R, D and E.
Eleven Iraqis and 2 Syrians travelled to Australia on study visits and post-graduate training. After long delays, one PhD and 4 MSc students started English studies and research proposal development in January-February 2011 in preparation for enrolment at the Universities of Adelaide and Western Australia. Following English evaluation, it is clear that language training will take at least 12-18 months rather than the allowed 6 months.
Six Iraqi and 2 Syrian extension officers/researchers undertook an extension/zero tillage study visit to Western Australia in August/September 2010, visiting research and extension centres and participating in field days.
Unfortunately, 3 trainees who travelled in May-June 2010 to Australia on a weed management study visit to the University of Adelaide (2) and a conservation cropping PhD to the University of Western Australia (1) had difficulty settling into their studies and returned to Iraq in August, before training was completed.
Project activities and developments were communicated to scientists, farmers, students, policy makers and the public in many ways. ICARDA receives a large number of visitors each year; many were shown project R & D activities with selected groups also travelling outside ICARDA to visit local ZT seeder manufacturers and farmers adopting ZT.
The project generated considerable publicity and media coverage in Australia, following visits by journalists from the ABC and Cosmos Science magazine. Detailed project information including project documents, reports and presentations was updated on the ICARDA web site (http://www.icarda.cgiar.org/ACIAR/Index.htm).
The project collaborated with Syrian Extension and Research Directorates to develop an extension/demonstration film for TV to raise farmer awareness of conservation cropping and its benefits for local agriculture. The 18 minute film, in Arabic, is excellent and was broadcast regularly on Syrian TV before autumn planting. DVDs were distributed to Iraqi trainees and other visitors.
Since ZT technology was first exposed and introduced into Iraq by the previous project in 2006-07, the known area of ZT crops has increased to about 6,000ha in 2010-11. In project-related development in Syria where the technology was similarly little known or tested, total ZT area from project interactions was about 15,000ha in 2010-11. The on-going increase in awareness, research and development of the technology, the keen involvement of manufacturers and farmers in ZT seeder fabrication and testing and taking up ZT, and the higher yields and lower costs being experienced, provide a good foundation and confidence for wider adoption and impact. In Iraq, interest and visits from other Governorates are spreading ZT technology beyond Ninevah.
The project has greatly increased awareness and experience of ZT technology. The Ministries of Agriculture in both Iraq and Syria are considering adoption of conservation cropping as a major platform for future dryland cropping systems development.

The objective of the project is to improve incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods among vegetable farming households in West and Central Java, Indonesia. It seeks to achieve this by integrating farmers in profitable supply chains and enhancing the capacity to adopt new technology and innovative practices that are market driven.
The project methodology combines: a) participatory market chain approach (PMCA) to stimulate innovation through joint learning and action by chain partners, b) farmer field school (FFS) to strengthen farmers' capacity for market-oriented agricultural livelihoods and for managing relations with other market chain partners, and c) empirical socio-economic research to systematically assess status, needs/opportunities and outcomes.
The four-year project was launched in February 2008 and is now entering its second year of implementation. During this initial period, the project has accomplished the following:
1) Established and formalized a broad, diverse partnership among stakeholders in the Indonesian potato/vegetable sector,
2) Assessed needs and opportunities for linking farmers with markets through rapid market chain assessment,
3) Strengthened capacity of project partners through training on PMCA,
4) Facilitated contacts and established working relationships between farmers and other market chain partners,
5) Formed action learning groups, involving farmers and other market chain partners, which target business opportunities for fresh- and processed-potato markets,
6) Identified and developed an initial set of technological, institutional and commercial innovations (i.e. Cumely-brand for baby potatoes and sorted/graded tubers, improved quality and packaging of traditional snackfood products, and marketing agreements with institutional buyers of fresh and processed potato products.

The objective of the project is to improve incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods among vegetable farming households in West and Central Java, Indonesia. It seeks to achieve this by integrating farmers in profitable supply chains and enhancing the capacity to adopt new technology and innovative practices that are market driven.
The reporting period approximately covers Year 2 of the project. During this period, the project completed the field piloting of two key approaches in linking farmers with markets: 1) participatory market chain approach (PMCA), and 2) farmer business school (FBS).
The pilot PMCA was conducted for two potato market chains (i.e. fresh and processed) in West Java. The PMCA final event was conducted in June 2009, followed by post-PMCA support for further business development. There were a total of 80 participants, representing 8 categories of market chain actors, for the year-long PMCA process. Of these, 42 were small-scale farmers and snackfood processors-entrepreneurs. A post-PMCA monitoring study indicated that five months later, at least 30 of these actors had initiated/expanded potato businesses by utilizing the marketing innovations introduced through PMCA.
One key insight from the pilot PMCA is the need for farmers to have prior capacity strengthening support, in order for them to more effectively deal with other market chain actors during the PMCA process. Subsequently, the FBS approach was conceptualized by adapting the conventional farmer field school (FFS) into a market-oriented learning process, named the farmer business school (FBS).
A draft FBS curriculum was developed at a workshop in October 2009, which among others built on the FFS experience in the ACIAR CP/2005/167 project. The FBS was first piloted from October 2009 to April 2010, involving 14 farmers in Central Java who earlier participated in a potato-Brassica crop management FFS. By the time the FBS was completed, farmers had successfully negotiated with, and started to supply fresh potato to, a local supermarket in Solo in Central Java.

The objective of the project is to improve incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods among vegetable farming households in West and Central Java, Indonesia. It seeks to achieve this by integrating farmers in profitable supply chains and enhancing the capacity to adopt new technology and innovative practices that are market driven. The project therefore focuses on field-testing two key action research approaches for pro-poor market chain development -- Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA) and Farmer Business School (FBS).
The reporting period approximately covers Year 3 of the project. During this period, the project undertook business development support to PMCA participants while completing the second cycle of FBS piloting in West and Central Java.
After implementing the three-phase PMCA approach in West Java (2008-09), participants launched and expanded eight cases of potato/vegetable market chains. Six of these dealt with processed products (i.e. snackfoods), and two with marketing fresh vegetables. To assist in further business development, the project worked with market chain actors in product promotion, accessing institutional support services, and continuing innovation for product improvement. Highlights include:
- Operational linkage with modern supermarkets companies (e.g. Carrefour, CV Bimandiri).
- Network of retail outlets for snackfood products established in urban centers (e.g. Bandung, Jakarta).
- Income and employment creation through rural enterprises that mobilize local workforce and resources, especially with women (e.g. Garut and Pangalengan).
- Novel and improvised traditional products introduced in local and regional markets (e.g. jacket potato chips, dodol and mustafa).
- Small-scale producers' access to institutional services established (e.g. grant from government agencies, credit from financial institutions, and training support from service providers such as Indonesian Chamber of Commerce),
- Awards and recognitions (national award by Ministry of Trade for best in packaging innovation by small-scale food processors, product promotions through expos sponsored by Department of Agriculture.
Meanwhile, the project organized a series of workshops in 2010 to review and share experiences from the first pilot FBS in Central Java (2009-10). Subsequently, a second cycle (2010-11) of FBS piloting was undertaken involving four groups in West and Central Java. The pilot FBSs resulted in farmers' groups launching new businesses involving: 1) fresh potato for supermarkets, 2) potato snackfood for local markets, 3) black soybean to supply a sauce processing company (Unilever) and utilization of by-products, and 4) broccoli for export market.
As part of regional sharing, the project and ACIAR co-organized a regional workshop on FBS to share experiences with 4 other ACIAR agribusiness-oriented projects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Project experiences have also been incorporated in CIP program development, with 2 new grant projects for adapting the Indonesian experience in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
During its last year of implementation (2011-12), the project plans to document and synthesize PMCA and FBS experiences, develop various knowledge products, and organize a national dissemination workshop for potential upscaling of project outputs/ outcomes..

In the first year of this new ACIAR project on waterlogging, salinity and element tolerance of wheat, both Indian and Australian partners have successfully conducted field and controlled environment trials, exchanged and developed new germplasm, developed soil characterisation protocols, characterised germplasm to abiotic and biotic stresses, and identified further adaptive traits relevant to key interacting constraints in target environments. All work in India has been delayed by one year due to the late project start, however there is good progress towards achievement of milestones and project outputs.
The activities and outputs of this project have undergone small changes ever since the final stages of project approval; this is summarised in Sections 2 and 6 and detailed in Appendix 1. These changes will not affect the overall project aim of development of "elite germplasm" or the budget. In fact in several respects they have helped to streamline the project and focus work on the key objective of production of elite germplasm.
A key research strategy of this project is the formation of multi-disciplinary teams of physiologists, soil scientists, pathologists and breeders. These teams are now established at CSSRI, NDUAT, DWR, UA and DAFWA. Good progress has been made across project activities by these teams (Section 2 and Appendix 1) and as detailed by reports from each of the key project scientists (see individual reports in Appendix 2).
A second research strategy of this project is the comparison and development of new germplasm through two methods of Single Seed Descent (SSD) and Doubled Haploid (DH) production - this approach is well on track with populations now selected for the diverse environments targeted in India and Australia. The overall benefit of this analysis is that if the SSD approach is shown to be successful, then this frees up Indian partners from dependence on use of DH populations which until now have come largely from Australia and not been easily available in India. Trials in India have only just been harvested, so the analyses of experiments is still in progress (Appendix 2). A 2-page pictorial summary of project highlights in 2009/2010 is given in Appendix 3.
Germplasm exchange was first requested at the beginning of 2009, but this was unsuccessful until Dr. S.S. Singh, Project Director, DWR, provided the key support in 2010. This has now enabled crossing to be initiated in Australian Plant Quarantine in June, 2010.
There have been several publications relating to this work including aspects of soil characterisation, physiology and germplasm improvement (Section 3.4). Work is also currently under preparation for presentation at scientific meetings in 2010/2011 including the 8th International Wheat Conference (Russia), the 19th World Congress on Soil Science (Australia) and the International Society of Plant Anaerobiosis (Italy).
One of the most exciting aspects of this work is the support for extension of activities for development of molecular markers described at the Indo-Australian Program on Marker-Assisted Wheat Breeding (IAP-MAWB) meeting in New Delhi in 2010. This work is supported based on years of relevant data, development of unique populations (some of which have been mapped) and demonstration of the increasing importance of diverse element toxicities as a major factor affecting waterlogging tolerance in field environments (Section 8, point 5 and Appendix 3). Currently a Letter of Variation is under preparation to extend project work in line with IAP-MAWB activities.

In the first year of this new ACIAR project on waterlogging, salinity and element tolerance of wheat, both Indian and Australian partners have successfully conducted field and controlled environment trials, exchanged and developed new germplasm, developed soil characterisation protocols, characterised germplasm to abiotic and biotic stresses, and identified further adaptive traits relevant to key interacting constraints in target environments. All work in India has been delayed by one year due to the late project start, however there is good progress towards achievement of milestones and project outputs.
The activities and outputs of this project have undergone small changes ever since the final stages of project approval; this is summarised in Sections 2 and 6 and detailed in Appendix 1. These changes will not affect the overall project aim of development of "elite germplasm" or the budget. In fact in several respects they have helped to streamline the project and focus work on the key objective of production of elite germplasm.
A key research strategy of this project is the formation of multi-disciplinary teams of physiologists, soil scientists, pathologists and breeders. These teams are now established at CSSRI, NDUAT, DWR, UA and DAFWA. Good progress has been made across project activities by these teams (Section 2 and Appendix 1) and as detailed by reports from each of the key project scientists (see individual reports in Appendix 2).
A second research strategy of this project is the comparison and development of new germplasm through two methods of Single Seed Descent (SSD) and Doubled Haploid (DH) production - this approach is well on track with populations now selected for the diverse environments targeted in India and Australia. The overall benefit of this analysis is that if the SSD approach is shown to be successful, then this frees up Indian partners from dependence on use of DH populations which until now have come largely from Australia and not been easily available in India. Trials in India have only just been harvested, so the analyses of experiments is still in progress (Appendix 2). A 2-page pictorial summary of project highlights in 2009/2010 is given in Appendix 3.
Germplasm exchange was first requested at the beginning of 2009, but this was unsuccessful until Dr. S.S. Singh, Project Director, DWR, provided the key support in 2010. This has now enabled crossing to be initiated in Australian Plant Quarantine in June, 2010.
There have been several publications relating to this work including aspects of soil characterisation, physiology and germplasm improvement (Section 3.4). Work is also currently under preparation for presentation at scientific meetings in 2010/2011 including the 8th International Wheat Conference (Russia), the 19th World Congress on Soil Science (Australia) and the International Society of Plant Anaerobiosis (Italy).
One of the most exciting aspects of this work is the support for extension of activities for development of molecular markers described at the Indo-Australian Program on Marker-Assisted Wheat Breeding (IAP-MAWB) meeting in New Delhi in 2010. This work is supported based on years of relevant data, development of unique populations (some of which have been mapped) and demonstration of the increasing importance of diverse element toxicities as a major factor affecting waterlogging tolerance in field environments (Section 8, point 5 and Appendix 3). Currently a Letter of Variation is under preparation to extend project work in line with IAP-MAWB activities.

In this second year of project research on waterlogging, salinity and element tolerance of wheat, Indian and Australian project scientists have successfully conducted experiments in pot, microplot, field station and farmers' fields; exchanged, developed and initiated new crosses including Single Seed Descent and Doubled Haploid populations; identified detailed element constraints (deficiencies and toxicities) of soils from our target environments; and begun to confirm the significance of adaptive traits to individual constraints, e.g. bicarbonate/carbonate tolerance, to grain yield in the field.
Appendices and one attachment to this Report provide detailed information on progress for the period of 2010/11:
Appendix 1: Detailed achievements against activities and outputs/milestones.
Appendix 2: Detailed reports from project scientists.
Appendix 3. Selected photographs summarising research highlights and challenges for 2010/11.
Appendix 4: Letter of Variation to ACIAR Project CIM/2006/177 (new MAS work)
Attachment: Experiment Information Sheet (EIS) documents 2010/11
Multi-disciplinary teams of breeders, physiologists and soil scientists are performing well at partner institutions located at CSSRI, NDUAT, DWR, UA and DAFWA. Abbreviations: CSSRI, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (Karnal, India); DWR, Directorate of Wheat Research (Karnal, India); DAFWA, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (South Perth, WA); NDUAT, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology (Faizabad, UP, India); UA, University of Adelaide (Adelaide, SA); MdU, Murdoch University (Murdoch, WA). During this period a new major activity was also developed, approved and initiated with Murdoch University (MdU) being: "Letter of Variation for ACIAR Project CIM/2006/177: MAS for waterlogging, salinity and element tolerance of wheat in India and Australia (part of the Indo-Australian Program on Marker-Assisted Wheat Breeding (IAP-MAWB))." This activity now makes our project consistent with other ACIAR projects in the IAP-MAWB, and it captures the benefits of extensive phenotyping and genotyping capacities in the project (Appendix 4). A comprehensive list of all experimental work by each project scientist is presented in the Attachment: Experiment Information Sheet (EIS) documents 2010/11.
In India, screening protocols in pots, microplots and field station trials have confirmed the ability to validate results using these diverse approaches at CSSRI (Appendix 2(2)). At NDUAT, farmers' field trials (Appendix 2(5)) have confirmed field station results and they have also identified and confirmed theoretical predictions from UA of Zn deficiencies in some soils at high pH (Appendix 2(7)). DWR has led the coordination of running bi-plot experiments in five locations/environments through collaboration of all Indian partners. Such measurements are still being calculated, and they will be helpful in evaluating the genetic variation of diverse Indian and Australian germplasm and help identify potential parental material for breeding programs. DWR also leads project research to characterise parental material and develop germplasm with abiotic stress tolerance for selected disease resistance including stripe rust, leaf rust and Karnal bunt resistance.
In Australia, work at UA focuses on characterisation of germplasm for tolerance to bicarbonate/carbonate and demonstration that this trait is significantly correlated to grain yields of wheat varieties in the field in alkaline sodic soils with pH>9. Supporting work on soils continues to develop methods for measurement of element toxicities (Al) relevant to low and high pH soils, and deficiencies (Ca, Mg and Zn) in soils at high pH. These approaches now need to be taken up by Indian partners - this will be discussed at the upcoming AGM in 2011.
At DAFWA the waterlogging tolerance screening facility at Katanning has been improved with remote webcam monitoring and with frost resistant canopies; the latter followed devastating experimental losses last year due to severe frost - the first time this has occurred in the last 10 years. Germplasm development at DAFWA included (i) rust screening a large SSD population in collaboration with ACIAR supported scientists at Australian Cereal Rust Control Program (ACRCP), Cobbitty, NSW; and (ii) development of crosses for new DH populations based on the best parents from India and Australia identified for tolerance to waterlogging, salinity and element toxicities: KRL99/Krichauff and KRL99/Tammarin Rock (see Appendix 3, Plate 10, for photographs).
A large number of presentations of project work have been made in this year with 16 publications from project scientists in journals or scientific publications.

Cambodia
The project inception meeting was held in Phnom Penh in July 2007, although the project contract was not signed by the Cambodian partners until October 2007, resulting in a delayed start. Funds allocated for the Cambodian component of the project were first successfully transferred in January 2008. Since then, in-country funds have been used to run one training workshop on livestock movement data entry. This will form the basis of movement mapping, and provide a foundation for more detailed subsequent studies on movement patterns.

The project manager in Cambodia, Dr Holl Davun, a Deputy Director of NaVRI, has been heavily involved in completing further studies. This has taken him out of the country for significant periods. He is now seeking employment of project - specific staff.

To this stage, we have not been able to engage a volunteer for the Cambodian component of the project (we have planned and budgeted for two), principally because of the complete lack of volunteers. Some of the organisational functions expected from the volunteers will be addressed through the use of interim contract services. This interim arrangement is under regular review, subject to the willingness of in-country counterpart agreement, and would be terminated by the appointment of a volunteer after an appropriate handover period.

Dr Sorn San, a Director of NaVRI, who has a small but critical oversight role in this project in Cambodia, was the recipient of a John Dillon Fellowship, and has received project management training through this. It is anticipated that this upskilling will facilitate the outcomes of the Cambodian component of this project.

Laos
The Lao component of the project is scheduled to start in July 2008, and will coincide with the annual Project meeting. This will be held in Vientiane 30th June - 2nd July inclusive.

Volunteers for Lao are available, and will be engaged formally in the near future.

Following the inception meeting, a number of workshops are scheduled, including a data entry workshop in Vientiane, a parallel to that held in Phnom Penh in January this year.

In addition, Dr Farida Tilbury from Murdoch University will be holding a number of livestock trader workshops, thereby commencing the sociological component of the project, which seeks to elaborate the trader networks, and drivers for livestock movement.

Australia
The project has engaged the services of Dr Jim Kerr to manage the operational components of the project. Jim's appointment should facilitate development of project goals, through his experiences in overseas projects, and extensive involvement in state and national disease control and eradication programmes.

Dr Ben Madin has commenced his PhD through Murdoch University, analysing the movement data from Cambodia/Lao, and comparing this with Australian livestock movement data. The outcome of Ben's PhD should enhance livestock management practices in all three countries.

Overview
The project aims to generate a detailed understanding of livestock movement patterns in Cambodia and Laos and their influence on the spread of animal diseases. This process includes the development of a computer model for predicting livestock movements, based on data such as market prices. When disease surveillance information is added to the model, it should be possible to predict risk of disease spread, allowing preventative measures to be attempted in high risk animal populations.
The technology developed by the project will include systems for the reporting, management, analysis and modelling of data, which will subsequently be transferred to neighbouring countries to promote the development of an integrated regional disease early warning system. During 2010 and 2011, the project will also investigate novel non-regulatory strategies to reduce the disease risk associated with livestock movements in the region.
Progress
Good progress has been made in the six primary data collection activities:
The retrospective study of existing livestock movement data has largely been completed.
A prospective study of livestock movements began in each country in mid-2008, providing an opportunity to influence the nature of the data recorded on official movement permits.
An animal tracking study was initiated in 2008 to record the movements of ear-tagged cattle and buffaloes through road and border checkpoints, slaughterhouses, markets and other locations.
A sociological study of livestock traders and other stakeholders has made good progress in understanding the drivers and trading networks governing livestock movements in Cambodia and Lao PDR. Hundreds of trader interviews have been conducted, generating important findings.
A study of livestock population dynamics in Cambodia and Lao PDR is well underway.
A market price reporting system was developed and implemented in Cambodia and Lao PDR during 2008, introducing web-based and mobile phone (SMS) reporting methods.
By mid-2008 Government project staff in both countries had begun entering movement records and market price data into project databases using the new website and SMS reporting systems. The project's computer programs use this data to generate movement reports, movement maps and isoplethic market price maps according to month and species (cattle, buffalo and pig).
Meetings and interviews are being conducted with traders and other livestock industry stakeholders across both countries in order to develop an understanding of trading practices and the social, cultural, economic and environmental drivers of livestock movements. This sociological research is generating interesting findings and identifying opportunities for future interventions aimed at reducing the animal disease risk associated with animal movements.
The data collection phase of the project will conclude at the end of 2009, at which time the focus will change to:
analysis of the relationship between various movement drivers and livestock movements
assessment of disease reporting systems and surveillance data
analysis of risk pathways for FMD and CSF
predictive modelling (generation of a computer model capable of predicting livestock movements and the risk of disease spread)
transferring the technology developed by the project to neighbouring countries
investigation of interventions to reduce the disease risk associated with livestock movements.
Project variations
A delayed start in Cambodia and the budgetary implications of a devalued Australian dollar prompted a revision of various project activities and outputs early in 2009. Consequently:
The project now has an amended duration of 4.5 years, and a new finish date of 31st October 2011.
Project activities in Cambodia and Lao PDR, which were originally intended to be implemented in a staggered fashion, will now take place simultaneously.
The data collection period for most activities was extended until the end of 2009.
Experienced veterinary consultants have been successfully engaged in Cambodia and Laos to perform roles originally envisaged for Australian volunteers and sociologists, including supervision of various project activities, training of staff, and collection of data from livestock traders and other stakeholders.
Collaboration
As planned, opportunities for collaboration with other projects and organisations have been actively pursued (see section 8). Project outputs are being aligned as much as possible with regional disease control strategies, particularly the Southeast Asia Foot and Mouth Disease (SEAFMD) Campaign, managed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
In Laos, where project inception occurred in July 2008, a number of activities are being conducted in collaboration with ACIAR project AH/2006/159: 'Best practice health and husbandry of cattle and buffalo in Lao PDR'. The information generated by livestock population monitoring and investigation of livestock movements and marketing is valuable to both projects.
Expected benefits
WA and Australia expect to benefit from strengthening animal health management and biosecurity in the region. The long term goal of participant and neighbouring countries is the control of transboundary diseases, particularly foot and mouth disease and swine fever. Control of these diseases by our trading partners, and in those countries where increasing numbers of Australians tourists (including from WA) are travelling, will contribute to the strengthening our national biosecurity.

The project made good progress during 2009 -2010 in its efforts to understand livestock movements in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). An improved understanding of these movement patterns is a fundamental requirement for the regional strategy to control Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in South-East Asia through the SEAFMD campaign.
The disease threat posed by uncontrolled FMD in mainland South-East Asia was demonstrated early in 2010 by FMD outbreaks in South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan, all of which featured a South-East Asian strain of the virus. These outbreaks have emphasised the importance to Australia of continuing to support disease control programs in South-East Asia in order to reduce the biosecurity threat posed by its northern neighbours.
Major data collection activities were completed in Cambodia and Laos at the end of 2009. These activities were managed by our project partners in South-East Asia, the Cambodian Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) and Lao PDR Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF). Follow-up efforts to obtain missing livestock movement records and livestock price data from various Cambodian and Lao provinces will be completed by June 2010. Analysis of this data will proceed throughout 2010 to determine if market prices are clearly predictive of animal movements.
Activity 1.2.1 ('Working with traders') has been a standout success, generating valuable descriptions of trade routes and volumes, trader networks and trading practices within Cambodia and Laos. Part of this activity was conducted in collaboration with an OIE-managed FAO ADB study into cross-border livestock movements in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), the report of which should soon be available on the SEAFMD website.
The project's assessment of disease reporting in Cambodia and Laos (Activity 1.3.1) suggests that there is presently inadequate knowledge of disease incidence and prevalence throughout these countries to allow a disease risk to be estimated for livestock movements. The project's predictive computer model can therefore not be supported by the present level of disease reporting in Cambodia and Laos. The potential application of this technology in other GMS countries will be explored throughout 2010 and 2011.
Feedback meetings were held throughout Cambodia and Laos during Feb-May 2010 for livestock traders, departmental staff and other project stakeholders who contributed information during 2008 and 2009. These meetings have been used to present with project results, and to canvass these stakeholders about the preferred means of delivering the disease biosecurity education that they have requested.
The development and delivery of trader education in various formats will be trialled during 2010 and 2011 as a means of reducing disease spread. It is hoped that a better understanding of disease behaviour may discourage some of the high-risk trading practices that were identified during our interviews with livestock traders.
The ongoing contact with Cambodian and Lao trader networks that will be provided by the project's trader education activity is also intended to increase the opportunity for the Cambodian and Lao governments to consult with this important stakeholder group when developing policy and protocols associated with the livestock trade.
A Risk Pathway Workshop was co-hosted by the project at the 8th Meeting of the Lower Mekong Working Group (LMWG) in November 2009 as part of Activity 1.3.2 (Risk pathway analysis for FMD and CSF). This workshop built on information collected from traders about trade routes, trading practices and trader networks. Important risk pathways have consequently been identified, together with 'critical points' along those pathways where disease reduction interventions might be attempted. A workshop report is available at the project website: http://ulm.animalhealthresearch.asia/
It was agreed at our Annual Project Meeting in Vientiane in March 2010 that risk analyses would be attempted during 2010 for the most important of the livestock trade pathways identified by the project. These analyses will include comparative assessment of the disease risk associated with official and unofficial border crossings, and will also assess the effect of fast-tracking slaughter movements rather than applying protracted movement protocols involving compulsory quarantine periods for imported livestock.
It is expected that these results will form the basis of 'policy briefs' that can be used by SEAFMD and other influential organisations to help guide GMS governments in the development of workable and effective policies for livestock movement management and disease control. Such an outcome would contribute significantly to improved animal health management and biosecurity in the region, with consequent biosecurity benefits for WA and Australia.

ACIAR Project AH/2006/025 aims to understand livestock movements in Cambodia and Laos in order to assess the role that they play in the spread of transboundary animal diseases in the Mekong region. There was a surge in Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in these countries during 2010/2011 which affected 13 of 17 provinces in Laos and 18 of 23 provinces in Cambodia. The consequent regional risk was emphasised by FMD outbreaks during 2010 in Hong Kong, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, and Mongolia. Laboratory investigation implicated FMD-endemic parts of mainland Southeast Asia as the source of FMD viruses that caused these recent outbreaks in East Asia, highlighting the ongoing importance of ACIAR research to assess and reduce the disease risk associated with livestock movements in the Mekong region.
At the project's Annual Meeting in March 2010, project stakeholders agreed that the project had significantly improved the understanding of livestock trading and movement pathways in Cambodia and Laos, satisfying the project's primary objective. The meeting subsequently considered how this information could best be used to achieve the project's second objective: to investigate non-regulatory interventions which might reduce the risk of disease spread associated with the livestock trade.
A Project Review in August 2010 supported the recommendations of the Annual Meeting, endorsing three main activities for the project to focus on during 2010-2011:
Development and trial of educational materials in Cambodia and Laos aimed at training livestock traders in simple, practical biosecurity measures to apply in the course of their work.
Risk analysis of major livestock trade routes in Cambodia and Laos, especially those featuring transboundary movements, in order to help policy-makers better manage livestock movements and develop feasible and effective border crossing protocols.
Technology transfer of the project's computer systems to interested countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, with the intention that project's systems for online data entry, data management, creation of reports and maps, and predictive modelling of livestock movements will assist animal health authorities in the region to better manage animal movements and disease control.
Educational materials were trialled with Lao livestock traders during 2010. They have undergone further trial and refinement in 2011, and now include a booklet, poster and digital story.
The biosecurity message has been distilled into a simple, generic 5-step biosecurity approach for traders to apply in the course of a typical buying trip. Equivalent Khmer-language versions are being developed for Cambodia.
Project personnel are contributing to the collaborative production of a combined ACIAR project publication on best practice in livestock health and biosecurity. Produced initially in English, this publication will serve to guide ongoing and future production and biosecurity research in Cambodia and Laos. The publication will also be a key compendium of production and biosecurity information for livestock producers and traders suitable for translation into Khmer and Lao.
The Cambodian Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) and Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF) continue to lead project activities in those countries, assisted by project consultants with specific research skills. Although these partner organisations have been very busy dealing with animal disease emergencies during 2010-2011, they have nevertheless facilitated a number of project activities, including feedback meetings for stakeholders, trial of educational materials, and collection of information required by the risk assessment activity.
The project's computer systems for entry and management of livestock movement data continue to be supported in Cambodia and Laos by AusVet Animal Health Services. AusVet is also leading efforts to share project technology with other countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, with opportunities in Myanmar and China presently being investigated.
The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) and Murdoch University are leading the risk analysis activity, and jointly ran a risk analysis workshop in January 2011. The project subsequently presented a risk assessment of a major Cambodian livestock pathway at the 2011 Meeting of the OIE Sub-commission for Foot-and-Mouth Disease in South-East Asia and China (SEACFMD). The assessment investigated a transit route which runs from Thailand through Cambodia into southern Vietnam. Murdoch University continues to support a Chinese PhD student who is investigating livestock trade routes into China from Laos and Myanmar.
Project stakeholders have always accepted that the movement data collected by the project during 2008-2009 only represented a 'snapshot' of the livestock trade in the Mekong, and that the knowledge we developed about trading practices and trader networks was likely to be of more enduring value. Nevertheless, the updated trade information that we have collected during 2010-2011 in the course of conducting feedback meetings for traders and investigating particular trade routes have surprised us by reiterating how rapidly trade patterns can change.
Recent field work in Laos and Cambodia during April/May 2011 was intended to assist our risk assessment of two trade routes: the transit trade in Thai cattle and buffaloes moving through Cambodia to Vietnam, and the so-called 'fast-track' trade in cattle and buffaloes moving from Thailand and Myanmar through north-western Laos to China. Our 2011 research has found that the 'fast-track' trade to China has stopped altogether, and the Cambodian transit trade is operating at a fraction of the peak volumes it reached in 2009. In both cases, currency fluctuations are reported to have been an important contributing factor, with the multiple currency exchanges required to move livestock between three or four countries significantly depressing trader profits. This finding has reinforced the fact that economic variables are an important feature to consider when attempting risk assessments of trade routes, and when developing import and export protocols with which traders are expected to comply.
The predictive influence of prices on livestock movements is the subject of computer modelling research by the project's PhD student, the results of which are due for release later in 2011.

Sub-objective 1. In the Mardan district of Pakistan identify the soil management practices for permanent raised beds that maximise their productivity and minimise groundwater accession.
The soil management practices that will achieve this objective were instituted with the project's first crop that was sown in September 2004. Both wide and narrow beds, freshly constructed and loose, were installed. The measured 'subbing' (movement of irrigation water into the beds from the furrows) was rapid and complete in these soil conditions. Management practices will attempt to maintain these soil conditions by maximising root retention while renovating the beds with zero-inversion blade ploughings between crops.

Sub-objective 2. Stimulate the adoption of permanent raised bed farming in the Mardan District of Pakistan
Provision of bed farming machinery
Two Cluster Groups of farmers have been established. Each has about twenty farmers and a recognised and respected local leader. Legally binding agreements have been negotiated with each of these groups for them to purchase a bed former/renovator and a seeder through an interest-free repayment scheme. The purchase price for this machinery has been estimated as the cost of machines made in Pakistan. These initial sets of machinery have been made in Australia. Additional sets of machinery will be made in Pakistan.

Three sets of Australian made bed farming machinery were imported into Pakistan in September, 2004. One set was given to each of two Cluster Groups of farmers. The third set was given to the Pakistan research team. The bed formers and seeders were assembled and commissioned at the National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad. Some minor modifications were required on the bed formers to enable them to construct and renovate beds to the shape and density needed to improve their condition and productivity. The seeders also needed of two modifications: (a) to allow the seeder to operate satisfactorily on a flat seedbed (i.e. basin irrigation bays), and (b) to allow the disc coulters to be moved without restriction (for changes to crop row spacing) across the front bar of the seeder.

The Pakistan Project Leader, Dr Zahid Hussain, arranged a special ceremony on September 27, at Mardan, for the Australian High Commissioner, Zorica McCarthy, to formally the present the machinery to the two Farmer Groups. A video was made of the presentation ceremony and copies of this video sent to The Australian High Commission in Pakistan, ACIAR, NARC, and the Department of Agriculture WA.

The machinery was demonstrated to the farmers and operators from each Cluster Group were trained in the set-up and operation of both machines. The Farmer Group Leaders and members expressed great appreciation of the size, performance and quality of the Australian made machinery.

Machinery repayment procedure
An Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding on re-payment procedures as well as access to the machinery by farmer members of each Group was negotiated and signed by the Farmer Group Leaders. The Agreement also specifies accounting arrangements by which the financial performance of each Group's machinery use and repayment can be monitored and audited.

First crop of Cluster Groups and Research team
The September delivery of the machinery meant that the November sown Rabi wheat crop was the first crop sown in this project. Ten farmers in one Group and 15 farmers in the other Group sowed their crops on permanent raised beds. Mid-season inspections showed both the research and farmers' crops to be excellent indicating the performance and operation of the machinery was highly effective. Furthermore, comparisons of the crop growth on both treatments showed the crops on permanent raised beds to be superior to those growing in the traditional irrigation basins.

Sub-objective 3. Assess the potential for permanent raised beds to reclaim waterlogged and saline cropland in Western Australia
The Australian work has illustrated substantial cereal yield improvements where waterlogging is removed as the major limitation to plant growth on waterlogged and mildly saline valley floors.

Conclusive evidence of the ability of raised beds to reclaim soils where salinity is the major limitation is much more difficult to obtain, however. Part of this difficulty is the highly variable nature of field salinity. Over the past year a method has been devised that integrates large sets of spatially referenced field salinity data into a single-line graph that illustrates (a) median field salinity; (b) the range of salinity and (c) the proportion of different salinity classes in a field. This analytical method has produced data that show permanent raised beds appear to lose of more salt from the root zone of crops than do normal seedbeds.

Sub-objective 1. In the Mardan district of Pakistan identify the soil management practices for permanent raised beds that maximise their productivity and minimise groundwater accession.
The Rabi wheat (2004-05) and the Kharif maize (2005) crops were the first grown using the Australian-made PRB machinery. The 2004-05 wheat crop was affected by rust and unseasonal waterlogging. Yields were still 'good' and showed a 17% increase in favour of the wide PRBs and 3% for the narrow beds, respectively, the district average for basin irrigated wheat (=control) being 2.9 t/ha. The waterlogging was caused by runoff water from large rains being unable to drain from the fields.

The 2005 maize crop was a hybrid variety sourced from the USA by Cluster Group Leader Nobat Kahn. This variety has the potential to raise yields from ~4.5t/ha to 8.0 to 9.0 t/ha and has generated a lot of farmer interest. Yields on wide beds were 18% above the control (7.1 t/ha), those on narrow beds 4% higher. Irrigation water savings on PRBs were consistent with past trends, showing savings of 28% and 33% for wheat and maize over the control, respectively. In addition, the 'Depletion Replacement' irrigation treatment is indicating additional water savings of 5% to 7% are achievable for crops on PRBs beyond the above water savings when comparing 'Depletion Replacement' irrigation with district practice on PRBs, and further savings are expected as expertise with PRB farming increases.

Research methods to quantify changes in soil conditions, refine irrigation practices and analyse the profitability of PRB farming have been instituted.

Sub-objective 2. Stimulate the adoption of permanent raised bed farming in the Mardan District of Pakistan
Use of PRB bed forming/renovation and no-till seeders
Additional training and supervision was given to achieve near-optimal PRB dimensions and soil conditions. These sought to: (i) standardise 3-point linkages and settings, (ii) increase the length of the gauge wheel shafts on the bed-former; (iii) operate the machines in drier soil, and (iv) apply less pre-seeding irrigation. Such assistance is likely to be needed for 6-8 cropping seasons after the machinery is handed over.

Machinery repayment
The Bank Account for both Cluster Groups to deposit their repayments for the cost of PRB machinery was opened in May, 2005 at Mardan. Repayments from participating farmers are being lodged after harvest, and the scheme is operating as planned. Additional Group income is being obtained from the hire of PRB machinery during the growing season, plus savings from: (i) reduced pre-seeding cultivation and watering, (ii) approximately 50% less seed and fertiliser being needed (PRBs occupy 70% of any given field); and (iii) the virtual removal of the need to thin maize seedlings.

Cluster Group Crop Results
The hybrid maize grown in 2005 was hitherto regarded as too costly. It has nearly doubled maize yields, and farmers are now changing from tobacco to maize on PRBs as a result. Group yields continue to replicate those of the research team and are significantly higher than the average district practices (basin irrigated; traditional, non hybrid maize). The Kahn Cluster Group lined its supply canal and installed tail-water drainage. The lining has sped the arrival of water from the supply line to fields from 6 hours to 6 minutes. The tail water drainage protects against flooding and waterlogging caused by excess rain.

Extension and demonstrations
A Field Day in March 2005 attracted about 40-50 farmers. The results of research into PRB farming, plus the experiences of Cluster Group farmers, were explained. Visitors were able to compare crops grown on PRBs with those grown in normal basins. The research team installed about 10 PRB demonstrations on the land of farmers not in Cluster Groups. Some were as large as 3-5ha in a single basin. The demonstrations are part of a strategy to facilitate the formation of two new Cluster Groups and create a demand for the locally manufactured machinery.

Local manufacture of PRB machinery
A local manufacturer was selected and given a contract to produce two bedformer/renovators and two no-till seeders. These will be paid for by funds accumulated from the repayments made by the first two Cluster Groups. Delivery is scheduled for February-March 2006.

Sub-objective 3. Assess the potential for permanent raised beds to reclaim waterlogged and saline cropland in Western Australia
Monitoring root-zone salinity in a range of seedbeds has shown PRBs leach more salt early in the growing season and suffer the least accumulation at the surface over summer. However, the PRBs, accumulate more salt at the base of their seedbed (20-30cm).

1. Research
Production changes
Average yields for each treatment over the two wheat crops and two maize crops have been compounded by disease outbreaks and water supply difficulties. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the permanent bed treatments have out-yielded the basin treatment in all four cropping seasons. Averaged over the four years the PRB treatments have yielded 8% more than the basin treatment.

When production is viewed in terms of ease with which plants use the applied irrigation water (kg/ha/mm of irrigation), the benefit of PRBs is more clear-cut and consistent. For every mm of water applied the
Wide Beds - depletion replacement irrigation treatment produced 27kg/ha
Wide Beds - district practice irrigation treatment produced 25kg/ha
Narrow Beds - depletion replacement irrigation treatment produced 19kg/ha
Narrow Beds - district practice irrigation treatment produced 20kg/ha
Basin - flood irrigation treatment produced 16kg/ha

The results clearly show that furrow-irrigated PRBs produce substantial yield increases and water savings over traditional flood-irrigated Basins. Both these benefits combine to produce a substantial increase in income and profitability.

Irrigation changes
Because of the easier uptake of water from the more conservatively managed soil, less water is needed by the permanent Wide Bed treatments. In addition to these soil-condition improvements in irrigation, there is clear evidence that irrigation scheduling, which aims to apply only the amount of water used by plants, further reduces the amount of irrigation water required to grow highly productive crops. Relative to the water applied to the district practice of flooding Basins, average savings in water applied to wheat and maize crops on the different types of beds and irrigation practice are:
Wide Beds-depletion replacement irrigation 35%
Wide Beds-district practice irrigation 28%
Narrow Beds-depletion replacement irrigation 4%
Narrow Beds-district practice irrigation 11%

Deep drainage changes
Deep drainage losses, which arise when water drains beyond the root zone of crops causing water tables to rise and waterlogging and salinity to increase, are least under wide permanent raised beds, moderate under narrow bed and greatest under Basins. This assessment is based on the time free-water stands on the basin or in the furrows; the proportion of land on which free-water stands and the hydraulic conductivity of the soil on which the free-water stands. Relative to Basin conditions, deep drainage losses are 50% less for the Narrow Beds and 90% less for the Wide Beds.

Soil changes
Soil that is managed with the least amount of disturbance will eventually have properties that improve water and air movement, root proliferation and plant nutrition. Although these changes take time to become measurable and significant, clear trends have emerged in our data that illustrate these advantages are occurring. Soil conditions in the Wide Beds are better than those in Narrow Beds, which are better than those in the Basins. Soil density is less in the PRBs. Wetting front penetration is greater in the PRBs. Water movement beneath the PRBs treatments is less. Plant water extraction is greater in the PRBs toward the end of the season. PRBs contain more organic matter than the Basins.

2. ADOPTION
Adoption of PRB farming practices has been stimulated by creating groups of farmers to share the use and purchase of PRB bedformers and seeders. In August 2004, two Cluster groups were formed and repayment agreements signed for interest-free, time-payment purchase of Australian-made machinery. The Cluster groups are led by two respected members of the local farming community, Feroz Shah and Nobat Kahn.

A reasonably large number of farmers in each group Crops has used the machines and PRB farming practices to grow crops by every season since August 2004, wheat in 2004/05, maize in 2005, wheat in 2005/06 and maize in 2006 Maize. Currently the 2006/07 wheat crop is being grown. The numbers of farmers using PRBs for Maize cropping in 2005 and 2006 was 15 and 23 in Shah's group, and 23 and 16 in Khan's group. The number of farmers growing wheat on PRBs is less - 12 and 23 in Shah's group and 10 and 8 in Khan's group in 2004/05 and 2005/06.

Average farmer yields have been reasonable but much less than the research yields: The farmers' average maize yield is 4.65t/ha compared to the research yield of 7.93t/ha; and their average wheat yield is 3.09t/ha compared to 4.49t/ha. The reasons for the farmers' lower production are being investigated.

Long term adoption of this technology relies on locally made and serviced machinery being readily available at an acceptable price, but so far local manufacturers have failed to make machines of an acceptable quality and performance. Efforts to source locally made machinery of an acceptable standard are continuing.

This project aims to refine the practice of permanent raised bed (PRB) farming and the approaches used to stimulate its adoption in Pakistan. It follows earlier projects that reduced the water used to grow wheat and maize by 30-50% and increased production of Pakistan varieties of wheat and maize by 10-20% and 30-40%, respectively. Early adoption efforts used Cluster Groups of 20 or so farmers who jointly purchased and shared the necessary machinery - a bedformer and a no-till bed seeder.
The specific challenges this project is attempting to overcome concern: (i) facilitating the manufacture and supply of Pakistan-made PRB machinery and ensuring the PRB seeder has the capability of seeding both field crops and row crops; (ii) developing strategies for the adoption of PRB that are appropriate for particular socio-economic groups of farmers; (iii) widening the range of crops that can be successfully grown on PRB; and (iv) developing and commencing a PRB training program for farmers, service providers and government extension staff.
Two machinery manufacturers have been identified and schooled on the design objectives and manufacturing standards required of PRB machinery. These are Noorani Industries Pty Ltd in Faisalabad and Agritec Pty Ltd in Multan. The Government of Pakistan has placed an order for 10 sets of PRB machinery from Agritech, with more sets likely to be ordered soon..
A seeding mechanism that is capable of seeding both field and row crops has been identified. This mechanism has the required seeding capabilities, plus a design that allows it to be easily attached to the existing seeder frame. This work, which is being undertaken in Australia, has been delayed due to the illness of the collaborating manufacturer, but will be concluded over the next three months.
Data generated from PRB research and farm demonstrations continue to show the technology has substantial benefits. With improved crop varieties (now able to be purchased because of improved cropping profitability) and a longer data collection period, the initial reductions in irrigation water use and increases in productivity from PRBs have diminished slightly, but large operational efficiencies remain. The performance of PRBs relative to Basins over 6 cropping seasons (i.e. 3 cycles of wheat and maize cropping), show consistent and substantial irrigation, production and weed control benefits in favour of 1.3m wide beds.
Key parameters Wide beds Narrow beds Basin
Irrigation reductions 30% 8% Zero
(8%)* (1%) (0%)

Grain yield increases 8% 7% Zero
(3%) (6%) (0%)

Weed burden reductions 60% 35% Zero
(22%) (8%) (0%)
* Numbers in brackets are coefficients of variation
The adaptation of PRB technology to other types of farming is being conducted on farms surrounding the research site at Mardan. These PRB trials have produced production increases and water savings on the following crops: potatoes, sugar beet, tomatoes, lady fingers and water melon. In addition, the Australian designed bed renovation blade plough has been used to substantially reduce the harvest time (labour cost) for potatoes and sugar beet, and increased the quantity and quality of their yields.
The strategy of using 'cluster groups' of farmers to gain adoption of PRB farming, whilst successful, has limitations. An investigation of the socio-economic situations of Pakistani farmers has resulted in the following conclusions. Where ever farms are small (10acres or less) they remain unable to generate enough income to even jointly purchase PRB machinery as a member of a cluster group. For this size farm to adopt PRB farming, service providers need to be the target for PRB training and machinery purchase. For farmers with intermediate-sized farms (10-50acres) both farmers and service providers need to be targeted, and for large farms (>50acres) the farmers themselves should be the target. As the focus of adoption activities moves from small to large farms, the required detail in training courses increases. For these reasons, the curricula of the training courses to be developed will increase in scope and detail as the target group changes from small to large farmers and to service providers and manufacturers.
General PRB training was undertaken during the year. A study tour for Pakistanis involved with PRB farming was conducted in May and June. This brought to Australia a party of 15 that was comprised of farmers, PRB extension and research staff, machinery manufacturers and senior bureaucrats responsible for implementing a national project to stimulate the adoption of this technology across Pakistan. They inspected raised bed farming of vegetables and field crops near Perth and Woodanilling in WA and near Sydney, Griffith and Cowra in NSW.

This report covers the final section of the previous variation, plus the first section of the current Variation of this Project.
Considerable progress has been made over the past 12 months:
There are now two manufacturers producing quality replicas of the Australian PRB bedformer/renovator and no-till seeder, and other manufacturers are presently being courted.
Analyses of all the research and farmer-demonstration data from Mardan are almost complete, with only the data for the 2008/09 wheat crop still to be analysed. These analyses are confirming earlier findings in both the type and magnitude of improvements derived from PRB farming.
The titles for the scientific papers of this R&D have been decided and drafting is scheduled to commence as soon as the 2008/09 data have been analysed. Also, the extension/promotion information sheets have had their content and target audiences decided, and production of these has commenced.
Adapting PRB farming to other cropping systems and soil and climatic conditions remains a challenge that is presently confronting farmers involved with the National PRB Project's demonstrations and the field staff assisting them. These challenges have been mentioned many times in the past. It requires urgent attention.
Assistance provided by the Project leader has seen the National PRB Project develop a standard design and data collection and analysis protocol for its farmer demonstrations. It has also seen the development of a national data base that will capture and analyse the data from PRB demonstrations set up throughout Pakistan.
The John Allwright Fellowship student has just arrived in Toowoomba, and the preliminary visit to USQ by the Project Leader has identified an appropriate field site and collaborative farmer for the field experimentation and the machinery components needed for his field research.
The visits to Pakistan by the USQ and UniSA collaborators has been postponed due to the delay in approving this Variation, plus their work commitments, but they have been rescheduled for August, 2009.
The stalled development of a precision seeding mechanism that is capable of seeding both row and field crops is being resurrected by the Project leader, and both he and the manufacturer are confident the mechanism can be delivered before the end of the Variation.

The 60 on-farm demonstrations conducted in the 2006-07 season confirmed that the existing chickpea technology is generally suitable for the central and northern parts of the High Barind Tract (HBT). Major biophysical constraints contributing to risk of chickpea cultivation in the HBT continue to be low and unpredictable soil moisture status and Helicoverpa pod borer attack. The market price is clearly very attractive, and farmers appreciate that costs of inputs are very low compared to boro rice, wheat or maize. The sub-sector mapping arising from the Business Development Services (BDS) workshop held in February will help to identify the key bottlenecks on which the Project should focus to more widespread adoption of chickpea in the HBT.

Generally, lentil cultivation under the project has been successful in northern Bangladesh, with yields exceeding the national average being achieved by the novice growers in most of the 120 demonstration plots sown. Plant populations established were mostly satisfactory except when sown into excessively wet soil, where nodulation was inhibited or delayed resulting in slow and/or uneven greening of the canopy. The other major constraint to lentil was stemphylium blight but this could be managed by fungicidal spraying and minimizing canopy density. It appears that there is a narrow range of optimum population density for lentil in this environment: this range will need to be established for PTOS-sown crops.

Although soils of the region are acid (pH 4.5-5.5), lentil appeared to grow satisfactorily in many plots. Poor growth could mainly be attributed to initial waterlogging events, which prevented or delayed N2 fixation. However, in the on-farm trial at Tupamari, Nilphamari, there was a large lime response, even though growth in general was very poor at this location. Further experimentation is required to understand the nature of the lime response.

Many lentil fields had two weedings, but this had not controlled weeds sufficiently. Further attention to weed control will be needed for the moister conditions of northern Bangladesh, especially with PTOS-seeding in rows. BARI developed a dryland hand weeder (or 3-kata) that may be used for weeding in row-planted crops. Applying herbicide is one of the options for weed control. Typical B deficiency symptoms of lentil were observed in only a few of the fields seen. An uneven hand broadcasting of the B fertilizer may have resulted in the sporadic appearance of symptoms.

Novice farmers (50) in the northern Bangladesh also generally achieved yields of chickpea higher than the national average. An on-farm trial confirmed the need to apply boron, molybdenum and Rhizobium, but there was also an additional response to lime. Other major constraints to chickpea were botrytis grey mould, collar rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) and pod borer. Biophysical constraints to lentil and chickpea in the northern districts were prioritized in a project report and overall constraints to production and consumption of these crops in north-western Bangladesh will be analysed through a BDS approach.

After various modifications with the rotary tiller, the 4-blade strip tiller was found to be the best option for minimum tillage, row planting. Bent blades throw too much soil out of the strip, leaving an open slot to about 2-3 cm depth. Straight 'C' type blades work better. However, on the heavier soils such as the Barind soil the slot remains open to 2-4 cm, and makes it difficult for the press wheel to press the soil down on the seed. This may require laddering to drag soil back into the strip. Chains behind the rotary tiller may be able to pull the soil back into the strip. Perhaps a different shape or thickness of the press wheel may be required. It would be desirable that further testing of some of these options occurs before the 2007 rabi season.

A 16 HP power tiller (PT) pulled 2 tynes through the medium textured HBT soils. However, very few 16 HP PT exist and hence the development of no-till planters should not be reliant upon 16 HP PT, but rather developed for 12 HP machines as these are cheap and commonly available.

The project organized a series of training programmes on lentil and chickpea cultivation and followed up with field days aimed at disseminating optimum cultivation methods. The project held an inception workshop on 5 November 2006, a BDS workshop, on 4-5 February 2007 and a review workshop and coordination meeting on 24 May 2007. Two PhD scholars were identified to work on the project and arrangements made for a training visit of two Bangladeshi Project members to Australia in August-September, 2007. The Australian component of the project began in June 2007 with the sowing of a field trial examining interactions between row spacing, fertilizer placement, soil moisture and seed priming of chickpea at Merredin in Western Australia.

Overall, most activities of the project are on schedule. The economic environment in which pulses are produced has changed markedly in the last 11 months due to the sharp rise in prices of internationally traded grains, fertilisers and fuel. There are opportunities and threats for pulses in Bangladesh as a consequence of these changes. Pulses remain highly profitable, but the rising price of maize, wheat and Boro rice has reinforced the view that our research should specifically target those areas with limited or no irrigation so that the Rabi season pulses, chickpea and lentil, are not grown in direct competition with cereals.

Two years of demonstrations have shown that the ICM package developed for chickpea is applicable in the central and northern High Barind Tract (HBT), but Mo and Rhizobium are essential because of the surface soil acidity. A replicated field experiment at one location showed no direct response to lime application, suggesting that acidity primarily lowers Mo availability. However, this finding needs confirmation. Sowing into a seedbed of adequate moisture content and controlling pod borer remain critically important to achieving reasonable chickpea yields and extension advisers and farmers need thorough training in the management of these constraints. Extensive evaluation of lentil in the HBT, where it was previously considered to be an unsuitable crop, has identified niches where lentil would be a viable alternative to chickpea. A technique of lab rearing of larvae, to allow year-round production of quality HNPV at low cost, was confirmed. Commercial production and sale of HNPV is now being attempted. Surveys suggest a 25 % increase in chickpea planting in the areas where demonstrations were held in 2006-07. In addition PROVA responded to farmer interest by selling them 580 kg of seed plus Mo and Rhizobium, thus commercializing technology transfer. The practice of priming with Mo + Rhizobium increased among farmers exposed to ICM training from 13 to 66 %. This plus the increase in farmers practicing proper seed storage, from 41 to 56 %, bodes well for continued spread of chickpea in the HBT through the use of the ICM package.

Two seasons of evaluation of both chickpea and lentil in northern Bangladesh, have shown that reasonable yields can be obtained provided the ICM package is followed. Mo and Rhizobium were also required here but additional responses to lime were obtained, suggesting that in northern districts additional soil acidity constraints exist apart from Mo deficiency. However, it was observed that the present priming procedure for inoculating seed with Rhizobium was not fully effective, particularly for lentil, and attempts are being made to improve the inoculation procedure. A time of sowing study indicates that the sowing window for lentil is much wider than previously considered, extending to near the end of November. In many of the demonstrations control of foliar diseases and pod borer was not satisfactory. This suggests that further, more intensive, training is required for farmers and extension personnel in pest and disease management. In addition, site selection was sometimes inadequate, with some plots located in areas of intensive irrigation, and attempts are being made to more precisely delineate potential areas for lentil and chickpea, where irrigation facilities are restricted or absent. RDRS has recorded technology adoption at specific locations, mainly in Dinajpur District, but not in areas of predominantly irrigated crop production.

A sub-sector analysis for lentil and chickpea in NW Bangladesh is nearing completion. This will identify the key bottlenecks for expansion of chickpea and lentil production and provide a framework for their further promotion.

The second version of the zero tillage planters were tested in farmers' fields and in field experiments on farmers' fields in the 2007 rabi season. Only the strip tillage option is presently a workable option for the heavy clay soils of the HBT. However, the strip tillage operation often throws too much soil out of the tilled slot which results in ineffective pressing of soil around seed. Further investigation is underway to improve the strip tillage planters. Tyned no-till planters are able to sow precisely on the lighter textured soils of the northern Bangladesh districts, but are not currently satisfactory for the heavy clay soils of the HBT. The priority for 2008-09 is to manufacture a number of planters for strip tillage and have them tested in farmers' fields to determine their effectiveness in planting under a variety of field conditions, the robustness of the planters, and their acceptability by farmers.

Two PhD scholars have commenced studies under the project on "Managing risk to crop establishment of chickpeas in rainfed environments of Western Australia and Bangladesh" and "Fertiliser management in chickpea in the High Barind Tract soils under reduced tillage".

During the 2008-09 growing season, the scope and activities of Project LWR/2005/001 were expanded by inclusion of two project variations. Variation 1 was the provision of extra funding to provide training of PROVA and DAE staff in Barisal, working with ACIAR Project LWR/2005/146, in lentil and chickpea technology, and for the manufacture of additional strip tillage seeders for evaluation by NGOs. Variation 2 was for the expansion of demonstrations of lentil production technology to a nationwide basis through greater involvement of BARI, and of ICARDA, in the project.
There was negligible rainfall during the 2008-09 rabi growing season but extended periods of cold and foggy weather in December-January that limited soil moisture evaporation in untilled soil. This created excess soil moisture conditions at some sites in northern districts, limiting the growth and nodulation of lentil and chickpea. This posed a particular problem for strip tillage as the soil adjacent to the slot remained saturated for an extended period. Thorough soil tillage resulted in much better seeding growth at the same sites. Thus, in northern districts, demonstrations and the seed rate and phosphorus (P) fertilizer rate trials sown by strip tillage were unsatisfactory. It appeared that when soils are wet at planting, deeper and wider strips would be needed to achieve satisfactory plant establishment and nodulation, or sowing should be on raised beds or involve complete tillage.
Due to lesser retention of surface soil moisture in the High Barind Tract (HBT), soil moisture deficit was a major constraint. For strip tillage to function in this situation, wider and deeper strips also seemed necessary. This is because the strip-tilled furrow only currently reaches the plough pan layer, which quickly hardens and impedes growth and nodulation of seedling roots. Sets of 25 each of chickpea and lentil integrated crop management (ICM) demonstrations were successfully conducted in the HBT. Experiments with chickpea to determine optimum soil moisture level for seedling establishment, effect of mulching with strip tillage and PTOS, lime response, efficacy of HNPV, and optimum seed and P rates with strip tillage were successfully conducted, although some replicates from the seed and P rate trials were lost due to ineffectiveness of strip tillage as mentioned above.
In northern districts, yields of most of the 35 lentil demonstrations were around 1 t/ha, with low yields attributable to excessive soil moisture and use of strip tillage. Most chickpea demonstrations and experiments sown with strip tillage failed due to the excess soil moisture problem mentioned above. Broadcast-sown, on-farm nutrient trials with lentil and chickpea were adversely affected by excess soil moisture and seedling disease. Lime responses were apparent but responses to Mo, B and Rhizobium inoculation were inconsistent. Date of sowing trials confirmed that lentil in northern districts can be sown until near the end of November, with little sacrifice of yield.
Under Variation 1, four strip till seeders were manufactured in Bangladesh and provided, together with new power tillers, to PROVA and RDRS for evaluation within their research and demonstration programmes. Limited training of NGO operators was provided and various mechanical and design defects became apparent during their operation. A model manufactured in Australia was also shipped to Bangladesh and CIMMYT successfully constructed of a multiple planter for 2-wheel tractors, namely "Sayre Smart Planter" to address previously identified defects. Both seed and fertilizer boxes of the planter are under the handle with four rows planting facilities within 70 cm. The planter is light weight; low cost (Tk. 40,000); easy to convert for - fresh bed planter in one pass, re-shaping and planting in permanent bed; zero or strip tillage planter. Two local manufacturers are started manufacturing the planters locally and start marketing. One manufacturer already manufactured 5 units and sold, he also got order for more 15 units. Moreover, the manufacturers have received orders for Sayre Smart Planters from India (2 units) and the Philippines (one unit). Hence most of the identified problems appear soluble but the major challenge is to characterize soil conditions under which seeders will, and will not, effectively operate.
In the 2008 Australian winter, a field experiment was conducted at Merredin, Western Australia to determine optimum row spacing of chickpea at different soil moisture contents. The APSIM chickpea model will be used to interpret data from this experiment, and complementary experiments being conducted in Bangladesh. Glasshouse experiments were also conducted by the Project PhD students at Murdoch University on response of chickpea seedling growth to soil moisture content and P fertilizer placement, which complement studies on soil moisture response and P application rate with strip tillage being conducted in Bangladesh. In the glasshouse experiments, chickpea seed germination and early seedling growth were not harmed by 100 kg of TSP/ha when placed close to the seed at the rate calculated for 40 cm row spacing on a clay loam soil, but in a sandy soil both germination and growth were strongly inhibited. Application of DAP at the same P rate was much more harmful to chickpea germination and emergence.
Under Variation 2, 180 lentil demonstrations were conducted across six traditional lentil growing districts in Bangladesh. BARI scientists provided training to DAE staff in target areas and to farmers conducting the demonstrations. Monitoring tours were conducted through the season and field days at crop maturity. In association with this activity, but under Variation 1, training in chickpea and lentil production technology was also provided to Proshika and DAE staff, and farmers, at Barisal. BARI scientists also conducted seed rate trials with recently released lentil varieties, herbicide trials to establish weed management procedures suitable for minimum tillage, participatory varietal selection trials evaluating mainly short duration lentil lines, and evaluation of strip tillage.

We have raised the profile of forage management for animal feed amongst the communities through workshops and meetings, both in the community lands, and on nearby Department of Agriculture Research Stations. In six communities in the target regions of the Eastern Cape we have arrangements in place for arable lands to be set aside for experiments, fenced and prepared for legume introduction experiments. We have identified two MSc students from the community backgrounds, enrolled them at local Universities, and defined their research projects around some key aspects of legume ecology. We have put in place a strong sociology team that encompasses representatives of the local communities, end-user and next user groups. The sociology group has met with the target communities on 12 separate occasions in this reporting period.
At three community sites we have sown (in Autumn 2007) annual legumes and (in Spring 2007) sub-tropical legumes selected on the basis of three small plot experiments sown on nearby Research Stations in Spring 2006. Despite severe winter conditions and some uncontrolled grazing events, several species in the autumn sowings have flourished and are setting appreciable quantities of seed. Scientific reports on the ECCAL project have been presented to the International Nitrogen fixation Conference in Capetown in January 2007, and the South African Grasslands Society meeting at Grahamstown, July 2007. The opportunity to use the successful legumes in neighbouring veld rangeland is being openly discussed.
At three Research Stations we have sown a wide range of sub-tropical and temperate forage legumes, with and without inoculation with rhizobium, and applications of phosphorus, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of legume response to the soils and climate. In Australia, we have transitioned 10 new legume species collected in RSA through Bio-security Australia, and WAQIS, have conducted controlled rhizobium experiments with them, and arranged seed increase activities for the most promising five species through DAFWA. A botanical survey in the target regions has revealed the complete absence of forage legumes in the grazing lands. These lands (veld) are rangelands dominated by relatively low quality perennial grass species, which are nitrogen limited, and provide very little feed in the critical winter months. The logistics for a major seed and rhizobium collecting expedition for the project have been planned, and will be undertaken in November 2007.

The project aims to increase household livelihoods from livestock production in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Livestock (and wool) production in this region is currently based upon summer growing perennial grasses of varying quality, which deteriorate rapidly in autumn, and senesce in winter. The project will increase animal productivity by developing legume pasture species capable of growing in the cool months and alleviating the autumn / winter feed gap currently limiting sheep / wool production. The first challenge to the project has been to engage rural communities who wish to participate in the forage improvement research. This has been achieved and we are working with six communities spread across the former Ciskei / Transkei regions. The second challenge has been to determine the types of legumes that will be suited to the climatic and soil constraints of the region. Because the climate transitions the classic temperate and sub-tropical definition, we have found it necessary to investigate a wide range of species sown both within, and outside, their normal growing conditions. From October 2006 until May 2008 we have sown both sub-tropical and temperate legumes in comparison trials established in autumn and again in spring. We have also compared effects of inoculation with rhizobium and application of phosphate fertiliser. These trials have been sown within each community, as well as at three Department of Agriculture Research Stations that service the region.
Despite a very dry winter of 2007, establishment of legumes at most of the sites has been satisfactory, and at some sites, excellent (see attached photos). Interestingly, some annual legumes of Mediterranean origin have 'perenniated' through relatively mild summers in 2006/07, and 2007/08. As well, the seeds and inoculant of some sub-tropical legumes which failed to germinate in autumn 2007 because of drought, have survived to grow through the summer. Specifically, two species of Ornithopus (serradella), two species of Trifolium (clovers) and Biserrula pelecinus, which are hard seeded annual legumes from the Mediterranean basin, as well as Lotus, Lespedeza, Coronilla varia and Desmodium subsericeum, which are temperate perennial legumes, have emerged as strong candidates for establishment in the abandoned arable lands of the EC province. This data has been collected from approximately 12 establishment trials at 3 Research Stations and within 6 communities living in the abandoned arable lands.
Interestingly, the "hard-seed" of some of the annual legumes has broken down over the moist summer months to be available for germination in the second autumn. An MSc study by an ECDA employee (Ms Unathi Gulwa) has been initiated to follow the dynamics of hard-seed breakdown and general seed ecology on the basis of these observations. The project knowledge base has moved from substantial uncertainty as to which (if any) plants might be adapted to the soils and climate, to a position of confidence of the performance of some several Mediterranean and sub-tropical species. An important component of the success of the project to date has been the input of an Australian small seeds farmer, Mr Neil Ballard, who has travelled to the Eastern Cape as part of the project team to assist in developing methods and machinery with which to establish the pastures in the community fields.
The community participants have, in the main, shown strong interest in the forage evaluation and have been actively engaged in establishing and monitoring the success of species. The expectations of the communities are being captured in video and survey interviews (attached). The sociological aspects of the project are being managed by Murdoch University graduate Mr John Davis and ECDA scientist Mrs Nobuntu Mapeyi.
In the next 12 months of the project we expect to monitor forage production and species reproduction, especially under some controlled grazing pressure. In the final year we will also establish some larger (several hectare) sowings with which to assess animal performance when grazed on mixed swards containing the introduced forage species.

The project has two parallel aims: in the Eastern Cape of South Africa we aim to increase household livelihoods from livestock production by provision of improved autumn and winter forage based upon introduced legumes and rhizobium. Livestock (and wool) production in this region is currently based upon summer growing perennial grasses of varying quality, which deteriorate rapidly in autumn, and senesce in winter. The project will increase animal productivity by developing legume pasture species capable of growing in the cool months and alleviating the autumn / winter feed gap currently limiting sheep / wool production. The second aim is to identify and collect forage legumes and their root-nodule bacteria that might play a role in adapting agriculture in Southern Australia to a drying climate. A suite of legumes from the fringes of the Kalahari desert have been identified and are in the process of being evaluated at Murdoch University and DAFWA, mainly in student projects. Several talks and posters on this activity were presented at the International Nitrogen Fixation Conference in Montana, USA, June 13-19 2009.
In South Africa:
Six village communities have been chosen to host the experimental work, as well as the Dohne, Tsolo and Mpofu Research Stations of the ECDA. Legume sowings into the community owned grasslands through 2007, 2008 and 2009 have identified that the climate restricts sub-tropical legume performance in regions south of the Kye river, and also in the northern mountainous regions (e.g. at Alan Waters, Rockcliffe, Roxeni and Lushington). In these regions the annual winter growing legues from the Mediterranean basin have been successful. However, north east of the Kye river the climate softens, and in these communities both the Mediterranean and sub-tropical legumes have been successful (e.g. at Dudemashe and Nyandeni).
Within the southern communities, the harsh winters of 2007 and 2008 have allowed some separation of adapted species, and the most successful were sown as mixtures in 2009. Under limited grazing lucerne has been successful, although this is at the cost of production from the summer grasses, which share the same growth cycle and appear to compete for moisture. As reported last year, two species of Ornithopus (serradella), two species of Trifolium (clovers) and Biserrula pelecinus, which are hard seeded annual legumes from the Mediterranean basin have emerged as strong candidates for establishment in the abandoned arable lands of the EC province. In the milder climates, the perennial species Lotus, Desmodium, Lotononis and Lespedeza can be added to the list of adapted species. This data has been collected from approximately 14 establishment trials at 3 Research Stations and within 6 communities living in the abandoned arable lands.
Significant undertakings in 2009 included:
the establishment of a 22 ha site on Dudamashe for the purpose of generating animal performance data
undertaking a training workshop in small seed sowing techniques in March
identification of potassium and molybdenum at critically low levels at some sites, and the requirement to alleviate this for optimum nitrogen fixation
new sowings of selected legume mixes at Roxeni and Rockcliffe
because hard-seed breakdown and general seed ecology will be crucial to the success of species, Mr Gideon Jordaan has submitted a PhD study proposal into these aspects.
Perth seed ecologist Dr Brad Nutt visited the project in July 2008 to offer support to Mr Jordaan, and to present findings to the Grasslands Society of SA (GSSA).
a visit to Perth and regional wheatbelt centres by members of the ECCAL team was hosted in September 2008. The ECCAL team was accompanied by the Research and Cropping Directors of Dohne Research Station (Mr Leonard, Mrs Tembakasi). This is an indication of the importance that the ECDA attach to this program.
An unanticipated development from the project has been the interest shown in the use of annual legumes in the maize cropping programs (and hence the visit by senior staff of the ECDA to Perth and regional WA). Experiments were initiated in 2009 on Dohne Research Station by the maize agronomists to evaluate ways in which the annual legumes can be used to provide an N input through the winter into the summer growing maize crop. In parallel, the Gates Foundation (BMGF) has launched a program for the introduction of legumes into sub-Saharan Africa and the potential synergies between this initiative (N2FixAfrica) and ECCAL are being explored. A visit to Canberra by Dr Prem Warrior and Prof John Howieson (BMGF) was hosted by ACIAR in April 2009, where talks on possible co-investment were undertaken.
In Perth:
The fynbos genera Lotononis, Lebeckia and Lessertia have been identified as key genera within which well adapted forage species are found. Seed and rhizobium have been collected from major expeditions in 2007 and 2008. The root nodule bacteria from many of these species are unique, including several from the beta proteobacteriacea (see 2009 publications and posters in appendix). Lotononis bainesii and Lotononis angolensis have been established at several sites in the WA wheatbelt by our DAFWA collaborators and have been widely successful. An agronomic limitation (small seed size) has been identified in Lotononis and a small breeding and mutation program has commenced at Murdoch University to overcome this. Seed increase of the second set of likely candidate species for serious evaluation in southern Australia was completed in January 2009, and a second level of seed increase is underway this winter. Agronomic trials will commence with Lebeckia ambigua and Lebeckia sepiaria in 2010 and funding agencies are being canvassed to provide a research officer in legume breeding and agronomy to assist the program. The inoculant for the lebeckia will be a strain of burkholderia and we need to investigate the implications of manufacturing an organism that is from the beta sub family of nodule bacteria.

The autumn of 2010 saw two new communities join the ECCAL program, a new experimental farm sowing at Bathurst on a very sandy soil, as well as the cropping scientists at Dohne (Stutterheim) introducing some of the more successful pasture legumes into their maize cropping trials. Since 2007 we have sown 23 experimental demonstrations at 8 communities and on 3 experimental farms, as well as conducting training courses on sowing and inoculation of pasture legume seeds. Grazing of the legumes has begun at the 10ha site of Dudamashe and experimental data has been accumulated for legume biomass, persistence and N fixation at Lushington and Dudamashe. Data will be collected on companion grass response to legumes in 2011. We have three students enrolled in PhD and Masters programs at Universities in RSA studying aspects of soil nutrition and microbiology, and legume hard seed dynamics. An extension to the program has been requested for the calendar year of 2011.
We have now 3 seasons of observations from legume sowings and it is evident that several annual and perennial legumes are well adapted to both the edaphic conditions and the grazing management. Of the perennial species, Lespedeza cuneata has persisted and flourished at several sites under heavy grazing (see below), and through seasons of well below average rainfall. This is a summer growing perennial in the Eastern Cape, but one which extends the period of green feed into early winter. Similarly, Desmodium subsericeum and Lotononis bainesii have shown excellent adaptation as summer growing perennials. Of the annuals, biserrula, arrowleaf clover and both pink and yellow serradella have shown the capacity to persist and regenerate under local conditions