Consider the Humble Chickpea
Chickpeas, a hardy and water-efficient "pulse crop," have been a staple food since 8,000 B.C. Today, they provide a primary source of protein and iron for over 1 billion people, especially in India.
Prof. Chellapilla Bharadwaj: Chickpea Breeder
Prof. Chellapilla Bharadwaj, an agricultural scientist with 27 years of experience, calls chickpeas the "pulse of India" and is dedicated to developing high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties. He works alongside global agriculture research networks like ICARDA and ICRISAT to help smallholder farmers increase their chickpea yields and incomes.
Bharadwaj is particularly concerned with the impact of climate change on small farmers. He states, "Whether it’s India, Africa, or Asia, small farmers are being most affected by the changing climate. That’s who I want to help."
A Personal Journey to Chickpeas
Bharadwaj's interest in chickpeas began unexpectedly during a summer accompanying his uncle, a block development officer, who helped tribal communities improve their food security. This experience led him to choose agriculture as his career path.
Developing Resilient Varieties
Bharadwaj's work focused on identifying and cultivating drought resistance and high yields. Through collaboration with various researchers and consultations with farmers, he discovered the importance of root systems in chickpeas. By utilizing innovative genomic technologies, he developed new varieties that contribute to roughly a third of chickpea production in central India, with yields increasing by over 25%.