Asian Journal of Research in Crop Science

Price Support for Oilseeds in India: An Analysis of Minimum Support Price Trends and Growth

Chetti Praveen Kumar — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Minimum Support Price (MSP) has long served as a key instrument of India’s agricultural price policy, particularly in the oilseed sector, which plays a vital role in ensuring the country’s edible oil security. However, despite sustained policy efforts, India remains substantially reliant on imports of edible oils, highlighting the need to evaluate the effectiveness and consistency of MSP in promoting domestic oilseed production. In this context, the present study analyses the trends and dynamics of MSP for major oilseeds and copra in India during the period 2014–15 to 2024–25. The study aims to examine changes in MSP over time, assess year-on-year and long-term growth patterns, and formulate appropriate policy recommendations for improving price support mechanisms in the oilseed sector. A descriptive and analytical research design was adopted using secondary data sourced from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), Government of India. Year-on-year growth rates and compound annual growth rates (CAGR) were employed to evaluate the growth and variability of MSP. The results indicate a steady increase in MSP for all oilseed crops, with comparatively higher growth observed in minor oilseeds and coconut products. In terms of CAGR, nigerseed (9.25%), ball copra (8.11%), milling copra (7.83%), and sesamum (7.26%) recorded greater long-term growth in MSP than major oilseeds such as groundnut and soybean. The findings emphasise the importance of developing a more stable, predictable, crop-specific, and procurement-oriented MSP framework to strengthen farmers’ confidence and encourage oilseed production. Effective implementation of MSP, supported by complementary policy measures, can help reduce India’s dependence on edible oil imports and promote sustainable development of the domestic oilseed sector.

Incidence and Damage of Bruchid Infestation on Selected Common Bean Varieties under Farmers’ Storage Conditions in Burundi

Annonciate Nsabimana, Paul M. Kusolwa, Lilian F. Shechambo, Paulo J. Lyimo — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a vital legume crop globally, providing essential proteins and micronutrients, particularly in developing countries. In Burundi, beans are integral to food security and rural livelihoods, yet smallholder storage practices expose seeds to significant postharvest losses, primarily from the bruchid pests Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus. Despite the economic importance of beans, limited research has systematically evaluated varietal resistance patterns and storage dynamics under realistic smallholder conditions across different agro-ecological zones in Burundi. This study evaluated the effects of storage duration, environmental conditions, and varietal resistance on bruchid infestation across Burundi's three agroecological zones. Four common bean varieties (Kinure, Mukungugu, Musore, and Gasilida) were monitored monthly over four months (February-May 2025) across six sites in an experiment employing a completely randomised design, with 72 samples and three replications. Parameters measured included seed perforation, bruchid emergence and mortality, and seed weight under typical farmer storage conditions. Storage duration significantly influenced infestation dynamics (p < 0.001) for both bruchid species. Initial storage showed minimal damage (100% unperforated seeds), but deterioration accelerated from April onwards, with A. obtectus perforation reaching 3.75% and Z. subfasciatus perforation reaching 5.13% by May. Live bruchid populations peaked at 68.5% for A. obtectus in April and 94.21% for Z. subfasciatus in March. Significant varietal differences in emerged bruchids were observed (p < 0.001), with Kinure demonstrating superior resistance across all parameters. This variety maintained 99.42% unperforated seeds, the lowest perforation rate (0.58%), the highest seed weight (994.8 g), and the lowest live bruchid population (32.9%) for A. obtectus. Similar patterns occurred with Z. subfasciatus infestation. Conversely, Gasilida and Mukungugu showed greater susceptibility, with higher perforation rates and bruchid populations. Storage site effects were generally non-significant (p > 0.05), indicating that varietal characteristics were more influential than micro-environmental differences across altitudes ranging from 800 m to > 2000 m. The study identifies Kinure as a consistently resistant variety suitable for promoting storage pest management in regional seed systems. The findings validate genetic factors as primary determinants of seed storability and support variety-based approaches to reducing postharvest losses. The integration of resistant varieties with improved storage technologies offers promising pathways for enhancing food security in bean-dependent smallholder communities.

Impact of Farmer Field Schools Participation on the Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices among Maize Farmers in Kamonyi District, Rwanda

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Farmer Field School (FFS) is a participatory extension approach widely used to strengthen smallholder farmers' knowledge and encourage the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices. This study assessed the impact of FFS participation on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among maize farmers in Runda and Rugalika sectors of Kamonyi District, Rwanda, over the period 2020–2024. A cross-sectional design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to 301 maize farmers selected by systematic random sampling, complemented by key informant interviews with extension officers and community leaders. Quantitative data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Nearly all respondents (98.3%) had participated in FFS during the study period, with most attending sessions every season (80.7%) and participating for more than two years (86.4%). Participation was associated with strong self-reported knowledge gains, with 94.7% of farmers reporting improved understanding of sustainable maize farming practices. Adoption of the practices promoted through FFS was correspondingly high: soil erosion control measures reached moderate-to-full adoption among 88.3% of respondents, organic manure/compost use among 79.4%, and crop rotation and diversification among 77.7%. Pearson correlations showed statistically significant positive relationships (p < 0.05) between all FFS participation indicators and adoption outcomes, with frequency of attendance (r = 0.79) and knowledge increase (r = 0.81) most strongly associated with overall change in adoption. Multiple regression showed that duration in FFS, seasons participated, attendance frequency, and knowledge increase jointly explained 72.1% of the variance in adoption (R² = 0.721, Adjusted R² = 0.717, F(4,296) = 190.94, p < 0.001), with knowledge increase (β = 0.391) and attendance frequency (β = 0.344) being the strongest predictors. FFS participation was also associated with improved household income (96.3%) and food security (96.3%). Nonetheless, full adoption remained constrained by financial limitations, high input costs, limited land, inadequate irrigation, and restricted market access. These findings indicate that Farmer Field Schools can support farmers' knowledge development and sustainable practice adoption, and support their continued expansion alongside stronger financial and institutional backing to sustain climate-resilient maize production in Rwanda.

Optimising Organic Fertiliser Application to Enhance Photosynthetic Pigments and Physiological Performance in Moringa oleifera Seedlings

Nurhazwani Mustaffer, Syazrul Iqmal Jalani, Ahmad Ariff Luqman Abd. Hamid — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In Malaysia, sustainable agricultural practices characterised by organic production systems are gaining increasing recognition because of their potential to reduce dependence on synthetic inputs. Moringa oleifera is a highly nutritious perennial species with well-documented medicinal and agro-ecological benefits. Chicken manure compost, characterised by its high nutrient content, gradual nutrient release and contribution to soil organic matter, has been recognised as an effective and environmentally sustainable fertiliser. This study evaluated the effect of chicken manure compost application on photosynthetic pigment composition in M. oleifera seedlings. The experiment was conducted using a randomised complete block design (RCBD) comprising four fertiliser rates (0, 100, 200 and 300 g plant⁻¹) with four replications. Under nursery conditions, photosynthetic pigment parameters were measured, including relative chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid concentration. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant treatment effects (p < 0.05) for all pigment parameters, with particularly strong responses observed for total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a (p < 0.01). Post hoc mean separation showed that fertiliser-treated plants consistently exhibited higher pigment concentrations than the unfertilised control, with increases of up to approximately 22% in relative chlorophyll content, 34% in chlorophyll a and 33% in total chlorophyll. Pigment accumulation increased markedly up to 200 g plant⁻¹, followed by stabilisation, indicating a saturating response rather than a continuous increase at higher application rates. Quadratic regression analysis further confirmed a positive but non-linear relationship between fertiliser application rate and pigment accumulation. These findings demonstrate that chicken manure compost enhances chlorophyll biosynthesis and carotenoid accumulation in M. oleifera seedlings, reflecting improved photosynthetic capacity and physiological vigour. Overall, this study highlights the effectiveness of organic nutrient inputs in promoting early seedling development and provides practical guidance for sustainable Moringa oleifera cultivation.

Effects of Chamber Types and Cultivar on the Performance of Plantain Macropropagation Technology (Musa paradisiaca L.)

Murphy Kayode, W. B. Akanbi, B. A. Lawal — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Plantain production is constrained by the limited availability of healthy, high-quality planting materials, making efficient and affordable propagation techniques important for sustainable production. Macropropagation provides a low-cost alternative to conventional sucker propagation and tissue culture; however, its performance may be influenced by the type of propagation chamber and cultivar. This study evaluated the effects of three macropropagation chamber types, namely wooden/nylon, bamboo/nylon and concrete chambers, and four plantain cultivars, namely Agbagba, Curare Enano, Obino Lewai and Orishele, on plantlet production and early plantlet development. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, using a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement in a split-plot design with three replications. Data were collected on total number of plantlets produced, number of plantlets picked, survival rate and number of internodes. Chamber type significantly influenced plantlet production, plantlet pick, survival rate and number of internodes. The bamboo/nylon chamber recorded the highest mean plantlet production (7.68) and plantlet pick (2.62), followed by the wooden/nylon chamber (7.34 and 2.27), while the concrete chamber recorded the lowest values (5.10 and 1.49), respectively. The wooden/nylon chamber recorded the highest survival rate (82.39%), although this was statistically comparable with the bamboo/nylon chamber (79.62%), whereas the concrete chamber had the lowest survival rate (63.32%). Bamboo/nylon also recorded the highest number of internodes (2.33), followed by the wooden/nylon chamber (2.16), while concrete recorded the lowest (1.40). Cultivar did not significantly affect total plantlet production, survival rate or number of internodes, although Curare Enano recorded the highest numerical plantlet production (7.10), survival rate (78.40%) and internode number (2.03). Cultivar significantly affected plantlet pick, with Curare Enano recording the highest value (2.25) and Obino Lewai the lowest (1.94). The chamber × cultivar interaction was significant for plantlet production, with Obino Lewai producing the highest number of plantlets (8.63) under the bamboo/nylon chamber. The findings indicate that bamboo/nylon and wooden/nylon chambers provide more favourable conditions for low-cost plantain macropropagation than concrete chambers under the conditions of this study. Bamboo/nylon was particularly effective for plantlet production and internode development, whereas wooden/nylon chambers promoted superior plantlet survival. These chamber types may therefore be useful as affordable propagation structures for increasing the availability of clean, high-quality plantain planting materials.

Physiological Characterization in Some Groundnut Genotypes for Drought Tolerance

Amin A. Ahmed Ibrahim, Seif Eldin M. Gasim, Ahmed H. Abuassar, Mayada M. Beshir — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food and cash crop in Sudan, with approximately 70% of its production occurring under rainfed smallholder farming systems. However, productivity is severely constrained by recurrent drought, particularly during the reproductive stage. Identifying high-yielding and drought-tolerant genotypes adapted to local agro-ecological conditions is therefore essential for enhancing agricultural resilience and food security. This study evaluated 50 groundnut genotypes together with three farmer-preferred cultivars (Sodari, Tozi, and Kiriz) as checks under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions at Damazin Research Station (11°46′18.2″ N, 34°21′40.5″ E), Blue Nile Region, Sudan, during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 growing seasons. The experiment was conducted in the savannah agro-ecological zone using a split-plot design with three replications. Data were collected on leaf area index, chlorophyll content, root-to-shoot ratio, relative water content, 1000-seed weight, pod yield per plant, and seed yield per plant. Genotype, water regime, season, and their interactions significantly (P≤0.001) affected most of the evaluated traits. Drought stress reduced leaf area index, 1000-seed weight, pod yield per plant, and seed yield per plant by approximately 4.7%, 22.8%, 16.8%, and 24.8%, respectively, while chlorophyll content, root-to-shoot ratio, and relative water content increased by approximately 7.4%, 24.3%, and 13.4%, respectively. Several genotypes demonstrated superior and relatively stable performance under drought stress, particularly ICGV89242-F2B2-B1-B1-B-B, C97B-38-2, and ICGV-94198, while the farmer-preferred cultivars Kiriz and Sodari also performed well. These genotypes represent valuable genetic resources for breeding high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and climate-resilient groundnut cultivars adapted to drought-prone environments in Sudan.