Economic analysis of rice production interventions demonstrated on tribal farmers’ fields in Khammam district

Abstract

The study pertains to a series of training programs organized by ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR) under the TSP project for tribal farmers of Khammam District induring 2014-15. The rice technology package was demonstrated to the selected farmers with Improved Sambamahsuri (ISM) - a Bacterial Leaf Blight resistant variety, quality seed production, information on parthenium control measures and skill training on preparation of compost from parthenium. The objectives of the study were to assess the economics of rice production practices and quantify yield gaps and to provide rice intervention package to the selected tribal farmers and to elicit information on constraints in rice production and suggestions from women farmers to improve the effectiveness of training.It can be concluded that the average yield of Rice Interventions (RI) and the average yield of the Farmers Practice (FP) differ significantly in case of tribal farmers’ fields. The Rice Interventions had a yield advantage of 1.85 t ha-1, which could be attributed to the rice variety, improved Samba mahsuri, training on the package of practices and seed production and parthenium composting. There exists a yield gap of 27 per cent which, if shortened, will result in increase in production. Hence, efforts should be made to disseminate the improved rice varieties and information on good management practices.