Harnessing crop research data to develop expert systems

Abstract

Agricultural research and development in India is achieved mainly through all India coordinated crop improvement projects (AICCIPs). They are multi-institute, multi-disciplinary research and development projects of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Eighteen projects based at strategically important locations collectively involve all agricultural universities and other institutions in the country for agricultural growth and sustainability. These projects test promising breeding materials, varieties, hybrids, composites and agronomic practices. In the process, improved high-yielding or superior genotypes, suited for different ecosystems are identified. Over 2000 varieties in several crop species have been released for commercial cultivation. The new technology developed through AICCIPs has enabled small farmers to cross the threshold of non-availability. The rise in on-farm employment opportunities and ancillary enterprises contributed to increases in real wages. AICCIPs represent a very large investment in time, resources and expertise on the part of many researchers, farmers, administrators and policy makers involved in agricultural development in India. The rationale for developing the AICCIP data base was that the provision of information with which to make decisions is a critical bottleneck in the development process. The availability of abundant data in AICCIPs, useful for increasing efficiency in management and production of most crop species, is demonstrated. Using AICCIPs’ data base, suitable expert systems for crops could be developed to provide decision makers with the type of information they need to make better decisions. The attempts to organize an expert system on rice using data and knowledge gained from AICCIPs is described here for illustrative purposes.