Chickpea Seed Production Manual

Summary

Although a wide range of improved chickpea cultivars are now available, many farmers still continue to grow old varieties and landraces. Thus, the achievements of chickpea improvement research have not fully translated into increased productivity at the farm level. The productivity of chickpea can be substantially enhanced by adoption of improved cultivars and associated improved production technologies. It is often seen that the farmers who do not adopt improved cultivars are also reluctant to adopt improved crop production technologies. Thus, improved cultivars provide an efficient vehicle for transfer of other improved crop production technologies. Studies show that farmers’ lack of access to seed of new varieties is a major cause of non-adoption of new cultivars. There is an urgent need to enhance seed production of improved cultivars to ensure adequate availability of quality seed to the farmers at local level and at affordable price. Because of the minor role of the private sector in seed production of legumes, the informal seed system (seed production by non-government organizations, farmers’ groups, and individual farmers) plays a significant role in increasing availability of quality seed and adoption of improved cultivars. This manual provides comprehensive information on improved seed production technologies for growing a healthy seed crop of chickpea and storage of chickpea seed. The manual will be useful to all chickpea seed growers involved in formal and informal seed systems.