Impact Assessment of Shalimar Rice-4(SR-4) in Kashmir Valley
Loading...
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Around 2.9 billion people or more consume rice (Oryza sativa), the most widely cultivated cereal crop in the world. Kashmir is also a chief contributor to the overall production of rice in India. Rice cultivation plays an important role in seeing livelihood of the people in the state(J&K), though the area under the crop is very small compared to other states of the India. Despite fluctuations in rice production, the valley is thriving for rice largely for domestic use. In order to give boost to this crop Sher-e-Kashmir university of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has released number of varieties among which Shalimar Rice-4 (SKUA-408) was developed to reduce distress in rice ecologies of Kashmir Valley. Shalimar Rice-4 (SKUA-408) has been developed by Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), Khudwani of SKUAST-K by pedigree method and was released by SVRC (State Varietal Release Committee) on 23 March 2017. The variety is highly recommended for irrigated low lands (up to the altitude of 1700 m amsl) of the Kashmir valley and has high yielding potential in these regions (80-90 q/ha). This variety is tolerant to blast disease, a moderately resistant response to larger diseases and such characteristics makes this variety a preferable choice for farmers. Land races/varieties are now being replaced by SR-4 and has become now very popular among the farmer community of Kashmir due to its yield potential and resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses.
The study is based upon primary data collected from 200 respondents selected by using an appropriate sampling design. Few statistical and econometric tools were put in use to analysis the data to derive necessary inferences. Socio-economic profiling revealed that most of the respondents belonged to middle age group, have attained education to the secondary level, had good experience in farming and possessed land holdings averaged at 0.62 ha. The average literacy rate in the study area was 71.00 percent and respondents have an average annual household income of Rs. 3.175 lakh per annum. It was observed that the adopters of SR-4 rice variety possess larger land holdings marked by diversification in comparison to non-adopters. Comparative economics of paddy cultivation between adopters and non- adopters of SR-4 rice variety revealed that the net paddy income of the adopters was higher than that of non-adopters. Partial budgeting analysis revealed a net change in profits amounting to Rs.131652.17/- per ha when the non- adopters switched to the cultivation of SR-4 rice variety. This implied that adoption of SR-4 rice variety could have a positive impact on the paddy incomes of the farmers. The level of technology adoption in adopters was found high. Adopters of SR-4 rice variety were found to have used more than recommended levels of seed, urea, MOP and DAP. The application of various inputs if rationalized may result in yet more yield from SR-4 variety. Linear function of farmers’ socio-economic attributes on TAI of adopters revealed that education level of adopters and family labour proved to be the significant determinants of the level of technology adoption. Similarly, Adoption of SR-4 rice variety, farming experience, education level, family labour and paddy land were found to have a significant positive influence on the paddy net income of the farmers. A comparison of linear functions on net incomes of both adopters and non- adopters showed that education level and paddy land of respondents of both categories had a significant positive influence on their respective net incomes. The influence of family literacy rate was found higher in adopters, while it remained lower in non- adopters.
Description
Keywords
Shalimar Rice-4(SR-4), Kashmir Valley, Agricultural Economics & Horti- Business Management, Agricultural Economics.