Rice production in India-varietal dynamics and diversity: Insights from empirical analysis of breeder seed indents

Abstract

In the present study an attempt has been made to analyse rice varietal dynamics and diversity in India, using breeder seed indents data of selected years. An attempt has also been made to identify underlying factors of varietal dynamics and measures to improve varietal turnover by reviewing literature. It is observed that in recent years there is increase in rice varietal diversity at All India level. However higher weighted average age of top 10 varieties is indicating that varietal replacement is taking place with substitution by older varieties. In case of Basmati rice varieties also varietal diversity increased over the years in terms of number of varieties and decreasing share of top 3 varieties. In indent for Kharif 2015 and Kharif 2020, Seed Association of India share was 20 and 31 per cent, respectively. Multiple factors are influencing rice varietal dynamics. Hence for promoting adoption of improved rice varieties with reduced adoption lag there is a need for multi-pronged strategy. Targeted extension interventions based on share of farmers of different types of learning patterns, nudging varietal adoption behaviour by leveraging policies of subsidy and competition in seed sector, encouraging private sector participation in research and varietal commercialization, facilitating marketing of output of rice varieties of different durations by synchronizing marketing periods with crop harvesting period and participatory plant breeding are some of the suggested components in the multi-pronged strategy. In future different mechanisms for indenting for varieties and price fixation for breeder seed based on whether a variety is protected or not under PPV&FR Act, may also influence varietal dynamics.