Socio-Economic Impact of Hybrid Castor - (YRCH 1) among Salem and Namakkal Castor Farmers

D Naveena ,Srivara Buddhi Bhuvaneswari S,Patil S G,Shibi Sebastian

doi:10.29321/maj.10.000536

Abstract

India has the largest area (11.48 lakh ha) and the highest productivity (1666 kg ha-1) of castor in the world. Castor is one of the crucial non-edible oilseed crops grown in arid and semi-arid regions. Castor farming is currently besieged by a slew of issues, including fluctuating rainfall patterns, biotic and abiotic stress. Castor productivity can be boosted by using the latest improved castor hybrids, changing the planting pattern, using automation methods, and adopting new production technologies. So, introducing hybrid castors like YRCH 1 will boost castor productivity. The Hybrid castor-YRCH 1 was released in the year 2009 and more extension activities was undertaken to popularise this hybrid in the major castor growing districts of Tamil Nadu, by the Tapioca and Castor Research Station (TCRS), Yethapur, and the Krishi Vigyan Kendras of respective districts. The present study was undertaken with the objective of analysing the socioeconomic impact of Hybrid castor-YRCH 1 among castor farmers. This study was conducted in the Namakkal and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu, which has the maximum area under Hybrid castor (YRCH 1) cultivation. In this study, four villages have been selected, from which 120 farmers were selected by simple random sampling technique. Using a well structured interview schedule, the required data were collected and percentage analysis was done. From the findings, it is revealed that most farmers have increased material possession (62.92%) due to the adoption of Hybrid castor (YRCH 1) and its production technologies.

Highlights

At the National level, average castor seed productivity for 2019-20 is estimated to be 2,052 kg ha-1 compared to 1,407 kg ha-1 last year
Transfer of technology measures was undertaken to popularise this hybrid in the major castor growing districts of Tamil Nadu such as Salem, Namakkal, Perambalur, Trichy, Kallakurichi, Dharmapuri, Erode, Cuddalore, and other districts by the Tapioca and Castor Research Station (TCRS), Yethapur and the Krishi Vigyan Kendras of respective districts
The present study was done with the goal of determining the socioeconomic impact of farmers owing to the adoption of Hybrid castor-YRCH 1

Summary

Introduction

At the National level, average castor seed productivity for 2019-20 is estimated to be 2,052 kg ha-1 compared to 1,407 kg ha-1 last year. Castor oil is highly prized for its termite-repelling abilities. Farmers in arid and semi-arid areas of Tamil Nadu decided that castor was no longer a profitable crop (Hema, 2018). During the year 2019 to 2020 alone, TCRS, Yethapur distributed 15141 Kgs of Hybrid Castor seeds to cultivate an area of 4757 hectares with a monetization value of Rs. 59.43 Crores (Anonymous, 2020). Farmers’ income would raise, which leads to an increase in the socio-economic status and thereby ensuring livelihood security Keeping this in view, the present study was done with the goal of determining the socioeconomic impact of farmers owing to the adoption of Hybrid castor-YRCH 1

Methods

Results

Conclusion