Adoption of remunerative farmers’ developed varieties of rice: Case studies from Odisha and Chhattisgarh states of India

Abstract

Benefit cost ratio is an important factor influencing the decision for adoption of a new variety in any new location. Farmers have been playing an instrumental role in ensuring food security by developing highly productive varieties which are also adapted to various (a)biotic stresses. Promotion and adoption of such varieties in new locations is required to provide profitable livelihood and to meet the growing demand of food crops. In order to determine the adoption of two such farmers’ developed varieties- DRK and Indrasan, a study was conducted in nine districts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh states during 2016, using the benefit - cost ratio (BCR) as the key parameter for decision making. Structured questionnaire and cost-benefit analysis approach were used for collecting the data and analysis. The highest benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.26 was recorded in case of farmer’s variety DRK followed by Mahamaya (1.30), Swarna (1.12) and Indrasan (0.81). The variety DRK fetched 41.2 percent higher market price in comparison to other varieties due to its superfine quality, better grain recovery and good taste. The highest benefit-cost ratio value ascertained that DRK variety was the most profitable variety for the region. Creating awareness through extensive demonstrations and maximizing its adoption among the farmers is warranted. The alignment of government policies and infrastructural support for the promotion of such economically potential farmers’ varieties is advocated for the sustainable solution for increasing the incomes and improving the livelihood of the farming communities.