Adapting to Social–Ecological Risks to the Conservation of a Muskmelon Landrace in India

Abstract

Crop landraces are vanishing alarmingly worldwide, posing serious risks to the livelihoods of the resource-poor farmers; this study, conducted using ‘vulnerability’ and ‘resilience theory’ frameworks, sought to delineate social–ecological, climatic and policy hindrances to the conservation of a muskmelon landrace ‘Jaunpuri Netted’ traditionally grown in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Our results showed that the blue bull menace, market constraints and erratic rainfall have gradually emerged as severe stresses to the conservation of this muskmelon landrace. Yet, a set of enablers including relative ease in crop management, pleasant fruit taste, perceived livelihood opportunities and the cultural legacy seem to offset these stresses, at least partly, keeping the farmers engaged in muskmelon cultivation. The Tobid regression analysis revealed that educated farmers with large landholdings were likely to grow muskmelon on relatively small acreages, and that market constraints, blue bull menace and erratic rainfall are the major future risks to the muskmelon-based livelihoods. A growing obsession with higher fruit yields has led to the virtual eclipse of traditional crop management practices, further enhancing the vulnerability of muskmelon growers. Addressing these challenges requires some major changes to the ways in which the muskmelon crop is managed and traded. While muskmelon growers need to revisit the present chemical-intensive practices, adequate research and policy support remain requisite to unveiling the unique nutraceutical properties of this muskmelon landrace, promoting organic farming, reviving seed-based business opportunities, and creating strong market linkages to enhance the livelihood resilience of the muskmelon growers.