Abstract
India is a significant producer of seed of Stylosanthes spp. (stylo), mainly S. hamata . Most of this seed is produced by villagers and small farmers in the Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, southern India. This is one of the poorest regions in the State, with harsh climatic conditions, poor, zinc-deficient soils, and, in the stylo seed production area, farm sizes averaging less than 2 ha. An informal network of seed traders markets the stylo seed within a 25−30 km radius and, via the next level of traders, to other parts of India. A survey in this area in 2002/03 indicated that stylo seed production in 2001 was about 800 t from more than 400 ha. A second survey, conducted in 2012, showed that the stylo seed production area had declined to 150 ha, with annual seed production of about 300 t. Most of the decline had occurred since 2007, when the purchase of seed for watershed rehabilitation in the States of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh was discontinued. In addition to the loss of this major market, other factors influencing the reduction in stylo seed production included: the low price of stylo seed compared with groundnut (the crop mainly competing for land use); sales of land for other purposes, and diversion of one area as a Special Economic Zone; reduced availability and increased costs of labor, particularly after the establishment in 2005 of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Agency , which provided an attractive employment option for rural workers; lack of technical support; and, in one village, delay in payment. Poor seed quality was another issue constraining prices. Despite these challenges, many farmers in the region remain positive and would continue to produce stylo seed, if profitability could be improved.
Highlights
India is a significant producer of seed of Stylosanthes spp., mainly S. hamata
Most of this seed is produced by villagers and small farmers in the Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, southern India
Land degradation and associated poverty are major challenges in rural areas of India with wastelands amounting to 114 Mha or almost 36% of the land area (ICAR 2010)
Summary
Land degradation and associated poverty are major challenges in rural areas of India with wastelands amounting to 114 Mha or almost 36% of the land area (ICAR 2010). The significant boost for wastelands through watershed programs was given in the IX Plan (1997/98−2001/02). As a poverty-alleviation measure, has been given a high priority in India, as is evident in the 20-year Perspective Plan (2002/03−2021/22) for treating around 88.5 Mha in the 20 years with a total investment of Rs 727.5 billion. Restoration of degraded lands is aimed to meet grazing requirements of livestock and wildlife in some areas (Ramesh et al 2007). (stylo), pioneering colonizers, establish well on poor and severely eroded soils in dryland conditions. Their ability to improve soil bulk density, infiltration rate and water holding capacity makes them useful species for the conservation, stabilization and sustainable development of land and water resources (de Leeuw et al 1994). A small portion of this demand is met by public sector-operated centers for forage crops; most demand is met by farmers of Anantapur district (13°−14° S, 76°−77° E) in southern India, who sow a S. hamata crop once in 3−4 years and produce seed
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