An Economic Analysis of Black Pepper (Pipper nigrum L.) Varietal Diversity and Its Conservation in Kerala
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Date
2011
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UAS, Dharwad
Abstract
The role of traditional varieties as a contributor of genes to the modern
varieties is well documented and hence carries an economic value. The present study
was undertaken to economically analyse the black pepper varietal diversity and its
conservation by collecting data regarding conservation of black pepper germplasm at
institutional level and also from farmers of Kerala state through multi stage sampling
process. Sample size was 300 farmers. Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR),
Kozhikode has the maximum share of germplasm collections in case of Piper species
(70.64 per cent) followed by All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP)
centers for Spices (13.34 per cent). A total of 6810 accessions of eleven spice crops
are maintained at IISR of which the black pepper accessions alone comes to 3097.
Black pepper accessions accounts nearly half the share of germplasm collections
maintained at the institute (45.47 per cent). Rs. 88.32 was spent on each black pepper
accession for its conservation annually in filed and it was cost effective when
compared to in vitro conservation.
The transformed Herfindhal Index computed to analyze the varietal diversity
of black pepper in the state was less (0.2973) indicating low diversity. Sixty four
varieties were reported to be in cultivation and now it has reduced to thirty four
registering a loss of thirty varieties (46.88 per cent). The Cobb Douglas production
analysis revealed that there was technological breakthrough in pepper cultivation in
the state. The total difference in productivity levels of old and new technology forms
was positive. In this, contribution of technology was invariably positive. Neutral
technological change was positive and the non-neutral technological change
component was always negative. Tobit analysis was used to find out the factors
determining on-farm conservation of varietal diversity. The total land holding, age,
education level of the farmer, type of farming and resistance of variety to the pest and
disease attack was found to influence the farmer’s opinion towards conservation of
traditional varieties in a positive manner in all the five districts.
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Agricultural Economics