Early this year, ICRISAT and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) formalized a collaborative agreement to advance research on climate-resilient crops suited to the region’s evolving agro-climatic conditions.

As part of this partnership, trials of novel pigeonpea genotypes are being conducted across high-altitude locations in the Kashmir Valley.

These trials are designed to evaluate the adaptability of early-maturing, light-sensitive, and heat-insensitive, as well as cold-tolerant, varieties in temperate and cold-prone environments where pigeonpea has not been traditionally cultivated.

ICRISAT Director General, Dr Himanshu Pathak, applauded the collaboration, noting that as climate change reshapes agriculture in the Himalayan region, close partnership with national institutions is essential to delivering crop solutions that can withstand these emerging challenges.

“Our collaboration with SKUAST-K, supported by the leadership of Vice Chancellor Dr Nazir Ahmad Ganai, is opening new possibilities for introducing climate-resilient legumes to Kashmir’s farmers.

“These trials mark an important step toward expanding viable crop options in a region where resilience is now central to future food security,” said Dr Pathak.

An ICRISAT research team recently visited the experimental sites at the Mountain Crop Research Station (MCRS), Sagam, to review the performance of the test varieties in collaboration with scientists from SKUAST-K.

This work is especially significant because pigeonpea cultivation has traditionally been limited to tropical and subtropical regions due to the crop’s sensitivity to cold stress.

However, the current trials to evaluate Cytoplasmic Male Sterile (CMS) lines, maintainer and restorer lines, and advanced breeding material are breaking this limitation.

One of the promising findings has been the outstanding field performance of CMS lines under the high-altitude, low-temperature conditions of Kashmir.

"Earlier this year, our team visited Kashmir for discussions with the Hon’ble Chief Minister and senior government leaders on advancing the region’s agricultural self-reliance.

“The progress achieved since then reflects the strong commitment of the Government and our partners to bringing climate-resilient innovations to farmers in the Valley," said Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research and Innovation, ICRISAT.

“Preliminary observations indicate robust plant vigour, tolerance to cold night temperatures and stable flowering behaviour in several promising entries.

"If confirmed over additional seasons, these results could not only pave the way for introducing pigeonpea as a viable future crop in the Kashmir Valley, but it will also be contributing to crop diversification, food and nutritional security, and enhance resilience to climate variability.

"It may even open opportunities for the local famers to cater to niche market segments,” said Dr Manzoor Dar, Head of Global Seed Systems, ICRISAT.

ICRISAT’s research on CMS pigeonpea dates back to 2008, when the world’s first CMS hybrid (ICPH 2671) was developed.

The current advancements open new opportunities for establishing hybrid seed production systems in the state, offering advantages such as reduced pest incidence, extended flowering periods and the potential for off-season pigeonpea production.