Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 12 (3), July 2013, pp. 472-477

Economic evaluation of Pusa 10 cultivation: a micro-economic evidence of ,

HN Singh1, S Singh2, US Singh3, J Singh1, NW Zaidi1 & S Mohanty3 1Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Pant nagar-263 145, 2Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa New 110 012, 3Social Sciences Division, IRRI, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, The E-mail: [email protected]

Received 07.12.11, revised 10.07.12

Policies for quality research, large-scale adoption and their impact on households’ rice economy are discussed in this study. Farm level data was used to analyze the impact of Pusa Rice Hybrid 10 (PRH 10) on input demand and income of households in irrigated rice growing environment. The quality traits of this hybrid seem to be positive as high HRR, aroma, cooking and eating quality. Consumers demand in the market for PRH 10 is very strong which led to premium prices. Based on analysis, it is found that, compared with conventional modern varieties; PRH 10 uses about 5% less input due to lesser use of fertilizer and labour. The lesser requirements for fertilizer and labour probably arise from shorter maturity duration (115 days) and lower seeding rate. Analysis revealed that, given the same level of inputs, the grain yield of PRH 10 has slightly lower than HYVs, whereas, net return is higher about 80%. Analysis indicates that PRH 10 was planted about 11 % area but the share of income was 16% to total rice income. Adoption of PRH 10 also facilitates farmers to increase crop diversification and intensification that could maintain soil health and environment.

Keywords: Hybrid, , , Traditional and Stability IPC Int. Cl.8: A01G 9/00, A01G 16/00, A01H 1/02, A23L, A01

Rice is the main staple food crop of the state of short duration (120 days versus 160 days in traditional Uttarakhand in kharif season. It is grown in an area of basmati) and higher productivity (5-6 t/ha versus about 2.86 lakh hectares accounting for about 54% to 2-2.5 t/ha for traditional basmati). Although plains the total area of cereal in kharif in state. Out of this, of Uttarakhand have very unique and favorable 1.48 lakh hectares (51%) rice is cultivated in plains environment for quality basmati rice production but and remaining in hills. The average productivity of it is restricted due to severe incidence of diseases rice in the state is 1.9 tons/ha which is slightly lower and insects1. Pusa Basmati 1 is the first semi-dwarf than the national average of 2.2 tons/ha. There are high yielding rice basmati variety developed in 1989. two distinctive rice growing environments in the state, This was followed by a number of long grain aromatic viz. plain and hill. The average rice productivity rice varieties with reduced duration and higher of these environments are 2.6 and 1.3 tons/ha, yield (e.g. Pusa Sugandh 2, Pusa Sugandh 4 and respectively. Hybrid rice is cultivated in India on Pusa Sugandh 5, etc.). Considerable efforts were more than 1.70 million ha, with an average yield made to reduce duration of basmati-type varieties advantage of 10-20% over pure line conventional from 160 days in traditional basmati to 120 days varieties. Hybrids have also been developed for the in modern varieties. While the productivity is fragile and unfavorable rice ecosystems. Aromatic increased from 2-2.5-5-6 t/ha. Development of Pusa rice hybrid Pusa RH 10 has been developed from Rice Hybrid 10 with all basmati qualities and reduced Public Sector Institute, Indian Rice Research Institute, maturity duration (i.e. 120 days) is the great achievement New Delhi. It has very fine grain and excellent of hybrid rice breeding program in the country2. cooking quality. India has released many high- The major objective of hybrid rice promotion yielding Basmati rice varieties. These varieties have in targeted area was to improve and stabilize farmers’ —————— income that could be helpful to eliminate poverty *Corresponding author of rural poor. SINGH et al: ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF PUSA RICE HYBRID 10 CULTIVATION 473

Methodology The intensification of crops can encourage farmers to realize higher profit from per unit land. This process Survey design and analytical tools also facilitates to increase diversification which could In year 2009, promotion of PRH 10 cultivation be able to maintain soil health and environment. was initiated in two blocks namely Rudrapur and Gadarpur of Udhamsingnagar district, Uttarakhand. Results and discussion However, due to strong popularity of this technology, it was expanded in four other blocks Kashipur, Major rice varieties Sitarganj, Khatima and Bajpur in following year Rice varietal diversity was high in surveyed 2010. In initial stage, seed of Pusa Rice Hybrid areas of state, which are predominantly irrigated. 10 (PRH 10) was given to the 494 farmers for Out of 40, three varieties Sarbati, PR 113 and HKR promotion of hybrid rice cultivation in district US 120 were the ruling varieties during all the years. Nagar. Since, it was an introductory stage of hybrid Sarbati is a short, fine grain rice variety of 135 days rice cultivation, therefore, seed cost was subsidize duration. It requires relatively less fertilizer with an up to 75% during the first year, which was reduced to average yield of 3.0-3.9 tons/ha. Due to better grain 50% in second year. and cooking quality, it fetches premium price in the Data on various aspects of households’ demographic market as compared to other non-basmati rice and socioeconomic structure, land use pattern, rice varieties. Cultivation of PRH 10 was initiated during production practices and different sources of annual 2009. During the first year itself it was planted income were recorded continuously since 2008 on on 9% of total rice area in selected villages of pre-tested schedules. In the analysis, year 2009 was Udhamsingnagar district. Sarbati, PR 113 and HKR considered as ‘farmers’ experimentation’ period for 120 covered >60% area in kharif 2008. The area hybrid rice technology. Where as, in 2010 farmers’ under Sarbati declined approximately by 5% in 2009 were able to harvest good crop due to better with the introduction of PRH 10. Sarbati accounted experiences of cultivation practices. For estimation of only 11% of the total rice area during 2010. costs and returns of rice production in target area Replacement of Sarbati with PRH 10 was mainly intensive data parcel (IDP) survey method was because of relatively higher yield, better grain quality used. Measures of central tendencies and descriptive and higher market price of later variety. In year 2010, statistics were applied to analyze the data on different area under PRH 10 was increased by 3% and area components of production practices. To estimate under Sarbati declined further by 1% . A positive precise value of variability in yield and income of antagonism was observed between Sarbati and PRH rice, farmer dummy model was used to remove the 10 rice varieties in surveyed area. effect of management practices from yield3. Acreage of other varieties grown by farmers almost remains the same across the surveyed area from Technology profile 2008 - 2010 except HKR 120 which was increased Pusa Rice Hybrid 10 (PRH 10) is the first aromatic from 19% in earlier years to 29% in 2010. However, Basmati Hybrid developed from public sector HKR 120 is the high yielding, short bold grain and Agricultural Research Institute and released by 135 days maturing variety. It is best suited for timely Central Variety Release Committee (CVRC) in 2001. planting of wheat and mustard in surveyed area where This hybrid has many positive traits which attract rice-wheat is dominating cropping sequence. producers, consumer and traders in different ways. PRH 10 is a high yielding, early maturity (115-120 Yield and share (%) of income by varieties days), fine grain, basmati-type rice hybrid4. The Table 1 presents the average yield of different rice different quality traits of this hybrid are positive such varieties planted by the farmers and their relative as high milling recovery, milled grain aroma, good contribution to total rice income in surveyed area. cooking quality, and enough volume expansion after As shown in the Table 1 rice varieties HKR 120, PR cooking, non-glutinous and good taste. Cultivation of 113, PRH 10 and Sarbati, occupied more than 70% of Pusa RH 10 is a way to encourage farmers for crop total rice area. The yield of these varieties ranged intensification by early harvesting. Farmers can easily from 3.9 to 5.4 t/ha in which PR 113 was the highest take third crop like toria, potato and pea in between yielder and Sarbati showed lowest yield. These four rice-wheat (after rice-before wheat) cropping system. verities contributed approximately 73% of total rice 474 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 12 (3), JULY 2013

Table 1—Acreage, yield and share (%) in gross income of rice of different varieties during 2010 Rice Varieties Acreage Yield Gross Income Share (%) (t/ha) (Rs. Lakh) (%) HKR 120 29 5.2 64.68 26 PR 113 20 5.4 42.51 17 Pusa RH 10 11 4.5 39.71 16 Sarbati 11 3.9 33.92 14 NDR 359 7 5.2 16.01 6 HKR 147 5 5.1 10.60 4 Pant 10 2 5.1 6.67 3 Pusa 1121 2 3.0 5.33 2 Indrasan 2 5.3 5.24 2 PR 114 2 5.0 4.44 2 Taraori Basmati 2 2.6 3.99 2 Sarjoo 52 2 4.1 3.05 1 Jaya 2 4.6 2.67 1 Arize 6444 1 4.9 1.81 1 Pusa 44 1 4.7 1.49 1 Total 100 4.8 247.42 100 Source: Farm Survey data

income. Share of HRK 120 to total rice income was major component of material costs which accounted 26%, while this variety occupied 29% of total rice 33% to total cost of cultivation in both types of area. The relative share of PRH 10 to total rice rice varieties. Transplanting, harvesting and threshing income was about 16%, which is higher than its share were the major components of labor cost that accounted of total rice area, i.e. 11%. Only other variety falling approximately 42% of total cost of cultivation of rice in this category was Sarbati which contributed 14% varieties. to rice income against its 11% share of acreage. Other concerns were use of pesticides and The area-income relationship of different varieties herbicides which accounted 12% and 9%, respectively may be an economic indicator to judge the superiority to total cost of cultivation of inbred and PRH 10 of a variety to the extent of income contribution5. The rice varieties. High rainfall and humidity is common other rice varieties were relatively less important in and peculiar feature of rice growing environment of terms of income contributions that range from 1 to 6% . These climatic variables provide favorable to total income of rice. condition for diseases and insect pests due to which most of the farmers go for 2-3 sprays the pesticides. Costs and net returns In case of gross and net return from both types of A comparative analysis of costs and returns of PRH varieties, the scenario was very interesting. The net 10 and inbred rice varieties cultivation are presented return from cultivation of PRH 10 and inbred varieties in Table 2. In this analysis we have considered the were Rs. 42721 and Rs. 23466/ hectare, respectively data of cost of cultivation of year 2010, as 2009 was (Table 2). Net return from PRH 10 was 45% higher the year of introduction of hybrid rice production than the other rice varieties. This was major factor technology. Therefore, it was not proper to consider responsible for making cultivation of PRH 10 popular 2009 for the estimation of cost and return. The among the rice farming community in Udham Singh proportion of material cost to total cost was almost Nagar district of the state. There were two sources of similar for both types of varieties which accounted enhancement of income, viz: improved production 55% to total cost of cultivation. Material cost was practices and better price of rice in the market. slightly higher for inbred varieties, gross and net Moreover, this situation led to strong demand of seed returns were much lower than PRH 10 rice varieties. among the farmers for its cultivation in wet season The share of labour costs accounted 45% of total 2010. Although, the benefit cost ratio of both types of cost involved in the cultivation of these two types of varieties are very much satisfactory but it was more rice varieties. Land preparation and fertilizers were attractive for PRH 10, which was 3.70. SINGH et al: ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF PUSA RICE HYBRID 10 CULTIVATION 475

Table 2—Costs and returns of different inbred and PRH 10 rice varieties (2010).(Rs/ha) Components Inbred varieties Pusa RH 10 Rs. % Rs. % Material cost Seed 600 4 669 4 FYM 158 1 61 0 Land preparation 3171 19 3246 20 Inorganic-Fertilizers 2551 15 2051 13 Urea 1496 9 1058 7 DAP 1023 6 950 6 MOP 9 0 33 0 SSP 23 0 10 0 Zinc sulphate 168 1 249 2 Pesticides 1722 10 1057 7 Herbicides 351 2 325 2 Irrigation 457 3 921 6 Sub-total 9178 55 8579 54 Labor cost Transplanting 2499 15 2270 14 Weeding 907 5 1295 8 Irrigation 110 1 170 1 Harvesting &Threshing 3439 21 3154 20 Others* 529 3 401 3 Sub-total 7484 45 7290 46 Total cost 16662 100 15869 100 Yield (t/ha) 4.8 4.5 Gross return 40128 58590 Net return 23466 42721 B:C Ratio 2.40 3.70 Includes cost of labor for nursery establishment, fertilization, FYM, pesticides, herbicides applications.

Assessing the performance of Pusa RH 10 (Table 4). The yield of Pusa RH 10 was not only The technology of hybrid rice production was lower in 2009 but also associated with a high degree initiated in the wet season of 2009 among 496 farmers of variability (46%). The similar result was observed of two blocks of the district. However, access of seed in case of income variability. This result indicates from Seed Company was slightly delayed and farmers that the distributions of yield and income across the were also not experienced for hybrid rice cultivation. plots were found highly skewed. However, the poor These factors were responsible for delay in establishment performance of Pusa RH 10 was mainly related to of nursery and planting during 2009 resulting into delayed nursery raising and transplanting and use of poor crop performance (Table 3). The optimum time older seedlings for the transplanting (Table 3). Many of establishment of nursery in the district is 3rd to 4th farmers in surveyed villages planted 5-7 week old week of May. The optimum age of seedling for seedlings coupled with higher incidence of insects transplanting is 21-25 days. The recommended time and diseases. Where as, the maturity duration of Pusa of transplanting is 1st to 3rd week of June depending to RH 10 is 115 days (Table 3). On the other hand, 3-4 some extent on maturity duration of the varieties. week old seedlings were used for the planting in There are several parameters to assess the impact inbred varieties and most of these were of longer of any intervention/ technology in agriculture sector. maturity duration (>130 days) resulting in higher These parameters are dependent on the nature yield (4.6 t/ha). These observations indicate that of technological implications in the target area. The hybrid rice cultivation requires very precise agronomic average yield of Pusa RH 10 and inbred rice varieties management practice for proper realization of their were 2.4 and 4.6 t/ha, respectively during 2009 potential yield and better income to farmers6. 476 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 12 (3), JULY 2013

Table 3—Effect of nursery and transplanting dates on yield of PRH 10 during 2009 Date of transplanting Date of nursery (weeks) Average yield (weeks)* (t/ha) I/6 II/6 III/6 IV/5 IV/6 I/7 3.1 3.8 0 2.8 0 3.1 II/7 2.1 2.9 4.0 1.1 0 2.5 III/6 0 0 0 3.2 0 3.2 III/7 1.9 1.8 3.0 0 4.3 2.0 IV/6 4.9 0 0 3.0 0 3.8 IV/7 1.1 2.1 1.8 0 3.0 2.3 *I,II,III and IV indicates of number of week in a given month and 5, 6, & 7 indicates number of months in ascending order (e.g. I/7 means Ist week of July)

Table 4—Performance of PRH 10 and inbred varieties on sample farms Performance Indicators 2009 2010 Pusa RH 10 Inbred varieties Pusa RH 10 Inbred varieties Yield (t/ha) 2.4 4.6 4.5 4.8 Share in area (%) 9 81 11 89 Net return (Rs/ha) 10410 4201 42721 23466 Share in gross income of rice (%) 5 95 16 84 Plot-level yield variability (%) 46 25 20 22 Income variability (%) 73 43 30 48

The feedback of farmers for agronomic management planted by Pusa RH 10, a net income of Rs.96.47 practices of Pusa RH 10 cultivation was instrumental million will be added to the rice economy of district in stabilizing yield across the plots in subsequent year which could offer better livelihood system for farming 2010. The yield performance of Pusa RH 10 in later community7. year was improved to a great extent as farmers learnt Seed production is an important aspect of hybrid from their experience of previous year and following rice promotion and cultivation. Moreover, availability proper agronomic management practices. The average of seed on time is very crucial for successful harvest yield of Pusa RH 10 and inbred varieties were 4.5 and of hybrid. The requirement of seed of hybrids for 4.8 t/ha, respectively, along with less variation in above estimated area would be approximately 226.75 yield and income during 2010 (Table 4). tons on recommended seed rate. For production of 226.75 ton hybrid seed, according to an estimate Projected Impact on rice economy roughly 18140 labour days may be required. This is In spite of poor yield (2.4 t/ha) of Pusa RH 10 an additional social benefit to create such a large in the initial year 2009, there was significant increase number of days for labour employment through in total acreage as well as share to rice income of hybrid rice seed industry. Supply of huge amount the farmers in surveyed villages. The situation of of seed is the real challenge for seed companies. rice growers during 2010 was quite improved Therefore, training of farmers for hybrid seed where farmers realized Rs.29848/ha net income and production technology may be appropriate to tackle area under Pusa RH 10 was increased to 11% of hybrid seed problems in the country. To the extent total rice area. The additional net income gain due that management of hybrid rice technology turns to Pusa RH 10 cultivation was Rs. 6382/ha over out to be information-intensive, increased public inbred varieties (Table 5). investment may be needed to better educate farmers The per hectare net income of rice cultivation so that they can properly manage the technology and with and without inclusion of Pusa RH 10 were exploit the crop’s full genetic potential8. Rs.29848 and Rs. 23466/ha, respectively (Table 6). There is 137430 hectare area under rice in district Concluding remark and policy issues Udhamsinghnagar (2009). To the total area of rice in For effective and rapid transfer of Pusa RH the district, 11% share of Pusa RH 10 accounts for 10 technology to large areas, the availability of 15117 hectare area. If this 11% of the total area is adequate quantity of seed is pre-requisite. Seed SINGH et al: ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF PUSA RICE HYBRID 10 CULTIVATION 477

Table 5—Projected impact of Pusa RH 10 cultivation on rice economy 2010 Variety types Yield Average price Net returns Differences of income Additional net income by (t/ha) (Rs./t) (Rs./ha) over Pusa inclusion of Pusa RH 10 (Rs./ha) RH 10 (Rs./ha) All varieties* 4.8 9760 29848 12873 0 Inbreds only 4.8 8360 23466 19255 6382 PRH 10 4.5 13020 42721 0 0 * All varieties included PRH 10 with an area of 11 percent in total rice area.

Table 6—Area-income relationship of Pusa RH 10 cultivation in Udham Singh Nagar PRH 10 area Net Income from rice Difference in net income Impact in rice economy of district (% of total rice area) cultivation (Rs/ha) (Rs/ha) (Rs. million) “0” 23466 6382 96.47 11 29848 production agencies, particularly seed industries, stabilizing productivity in Uttaranchal, India, Indian J Crop public and private, need to be motivated to produce Sci, 1(1-2) (2006) 06-108. large quantities of seed. Since hybrid rice seed 2 Singh AK, Singh VP, Zaman FU & Hariprasad AS, Promoting long and extra-long grain aromatic rice varieties production is very much technical, there is need to for improving productivity and production, In: Scented train a large number of growers/farmers in hybrid rice of and Uttaranchal, edited by Singh RK and seed production technology. Singh US, Kalyani Publishers New Delhi, 2005, 57-63. Hybrid rice cultivation is relatively new intervention 3 Singh HN, Pandey S & Villano R, Rainfed rice, risk and for the farmers. Cultivation practices of hybrid require technology adoption: Some micro- economic evidences from well managed production practices for realization Eastern India, In: Proceeding of the International conference on Characterizing and Understanding Rainfed Environments, of potential yield. Therefore, training of farmers for 5-9 December 1999. Bali, , edited by Tuong TP, Kan hybrid cultivation may be pre-requisite for successful SP, Wade L, Pandey S, Bouman BAM and Hardy B, harvest. To speed up large-scale adoption, there is International Rice Research Institute Los Banos Philippines, need to create awareness and demand for Pusa RH 2000, 488. 10 by conducting extensive on-farm trials, front-line 4 Virmani SS & Zaman FU, Improving grain quality of hybrid rice challenges, strategies and achievements, In: Proceeding demonstrations and training programs. of the 3rd International Symposium on Hybrid Rice, 14-16 Adoption of Pusa RH 10 cultivation on large scale November 1996, Hyderabad India, edited by Virmani SS, may facilitate to reduce the pressure of domestic Siddiq EA & Muralidharan K, International Rice Research Institute Manila, Philippines 1998, 177-186. demand for export quality of basmati, which fetches 5 Singh HN, Singh US, Singh SP & Singh RK. Evaluation of huge foreign exchange. The domestic demand for improved kalanamak rice technology: accelerating adoption basmati can be easily met by promotion of Pusa RH and stabilizing productivity in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Int J 10 cultivation. Rural Stud, 3 (2006) 7-10. 6 Singh HN, Singh US & Mohanty S, Economic assessment of Acknowledgement Pusa Rice Hybrid 10: a policy approach to enhancing and stabilizing income of rice farmers in Uttarakhand, India, Financial assistance offered for this study by Paper presented at the 28th International Rice Research Department of Biotechnology, Government of India Conference, 8-12 November 2010, Hanoi, 2010. through project entitled `Rural Bioresource Complex’ 7 Thao TD, Economic assessment of hybrid rice in Red River and 494 farmers of Udhamsingh Nagar are duly Delta, Vietnam. IRDC Project, Manila (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute, 1998. acknowledged. 8 Pingali PL, Morris M & Moya P, Prospects for hybrid rice in tropical , In: Proceeding of the 3rd International References Symposium on Hybrid Rice, 14-16 November 1996, 1 Singh HN, Singh US, Singh RK, Singh VK, Singh SP & Hyderabad India. Edited by Virmani SS, Siddiq EA, Mani SC, Adoption pattern and constraints analysis of Muralidharan K.International Rice Research Institute Manila, basmati rice: Implications for enhancing adoption and Philippines, 1998, 177-186.