Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Terai region. From a high of 26.30% in 1991/1992, they have
declined to a low of 7.60% in 1996/1997. With the exception of
2002/2003, all other years show relatively lower CVs, hover-
ing around 10%. At the same time, CVs in 36 districts of the
Hills have remained constant (at around 30%), and present
no evidence of either σ-convergence or σ-divergence. In the
Mountains, however, the evolution of the CVs, from a low of
5.30% in 1996/1997 to a high of 29.80% in 2001/2002, shows
no apparent sign of σ-convergence.
There are several factors that farmers have to consider to
make a crop production decision, and their ability to interact
with factors such as market risk, varying costs and availabil-
ity of critical inputs and other environmental risks, makes
some farmers (as well as regions) more productive than oth-
ers. There may be several factors at play in the apparent lack
of σ-convergence. The push toward implementing the goals of
adoption of climate-appropriate management practices (APP)
may have been constrained by widespread inaccessibility due
to the difficult geographic terrain, especially in the Hills and
the Mountains. At this level of abstraction, however, the trend
does provide insights about the unfolding of climate-technol-
ogy interaction, hence the need for further analysis.
Rice has always been the focus of technological innova-
tion in India. Over time, researchers have developed location-
specific technologies (agronomic and cultivars) that reflect
local conditions (NRC, 1999). The Coordinated Rice Research
Program (CRRP), which functions under NARC, coordinates
with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for new
genetic materials. In the last 30 years, CRRP has released
and recommended more than 40 improved varieties of rice
to a wide range of climatic conditions of the country (HMG/
MOAC, 2001). Although farmers are selective in accepting
them, owing to risks associated with rainfall variability and
grain quality, the area covered by these improved varieties has
increased steadily over time. The new cultivars recommended
for different climatic conditions have extended the technologi-
cal choices for farmers even in areas with marginal climate.
In the early 1990s, the area covered by improved varieties of
rice was estimated to be about 46%, but had increased to 71%
by the end of the decade (Goletti et al., 2001). It is believed
that greater rice productivity in climatically marginal areas can
be linked to three overlapping interventions of (a) introduction
and adoption of location-specific rice varieties, (b) adoption of
climate-appropriate management practices and (c) institutional
changes that led to technological innovation in marginal areas.
