Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in Basmati (Scented) rice: A study of prospects and retrospect

Abstract

India stands first in rice area and second in production, after China and contributes 21.5% of global rice production and faces stiff competition in the world markets for the export of scented rice. There is immense scope for India to take advantage of the new trade opportunities that sustain the export of scented rice and processed products of rice. This can be achieved only if production is made as per the consumer demands and requirements of international markets. GLOBAL GAP (earlier known as EUREPGAP) has established itself as a key reference for Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in the global market place, by translating consumer requirements into agricultural production and the concerns and commitments of a wide range of stakeholders about food production and security, food safety, quality and the environmental sustainability of agriculture. Besides these it has social impacts as it takes care about workers health, safety and welfare. The study conducted in Karnal and Kurukshetra districts of Haryana state on basmati rice growers showed that the awareness and the adoption of the critical GAPs in basmati production system was at lowest ebb, whereas the benefits of adoption were well understood by the farmers. Awareness level of farmers about Good Agricultural Practices in basmati rice was found to be 58.33%, whereas adoption was only 27.41% which is even less than half of awareness level. Overall preparedness for adoption of GAP was 65.67%. The farmers posed potential challenges in the form of ill preparedness for adoption of GAPs in basmati rice which need to be looked into through policy interventions and extension efforts to reinforce the adoption process.