Diffusion of submergence-tolerant rice: the case of Swarna Sub 1 in Eastern India
2013
Malabayabas, M.L. | Yamano, T.
Submergence is one of the major threats to farmers in Eastern India where the majority of rice is grown in rainfed areas. To reduce crop losses due to submergence, the Stress-Tolerant Rice for Africa and South-Asia (STRASA) project and the government of India have been distributing Swarna Sub 1 seeds through 'minikits' since 2008, reaching more than 300,000 farmers in 2011. Swarna Sub 1 is a submergence-tolerant rice variety which can survive up to 14 days of submergence. There is, however, a dearth of information regarding farmer-to-farmer seed transfers of Swarna Sub 1. By using panel data, this paper describes seed transfers among farmers after Swarna Sub 1 seed distribution and identifies constraints in the seed transfer process. Preliminary results indicate that only a small number of farmers have transferred Swarna Sub 1 seeds to mostly male relatives or friends, while other farmers have suggested unavailability of the seeds. In addition to identifying constraints in the seed transfer process of Swarna Sub 1, the other results in the paper are expected to serve as basis for varietal developmental programs for stress-tolerant varieties.
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