Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
engaged in devising improved agronomic management prac-
tices that alleviate constraints posed by climatic factors. For
example, to address the constant dilemma associated with the
uncertainty of the onset of monsoon, researchers have been
improvising traditional methods of 'direct seeding' often prac-
ticed in risk-prone environments (Pandey and Velasco, 2002).
According to Pandey and Velasco, the development of suitable
varieties, availability of modern tools (e.g. power tiller drill)
and increased access to herbicides have made this traditional
technology more profitable in risk-prone environments of many
Asian countries including India. This method has not only
reduced the demand on labour but has thrived in areas of erratic
rainfall, especially during the early stages of crop development.
According to Tripathi et al. (2004), economic analysis of direct
seeding yielded an additional net return of 33% compared to
the conventional method of transplanting.
In another example, researchers working with farmers have
helped them maximise the yield potential of high yield variet-
ies (HYVs). To do so, farmers were required to follow a set of
recommendations, one of which was adhering to specified tim-
ing of planting because delayed action could result in substan-
tial loss of yield. A study also shows that improved varieties of
rice must be transplanted from the seed bed to the main field
between 24 and 28 days to achieve maximum yield potential
(Sah et al., 2004). In a country where the timing and inten-
sity of monsoon precipitation is highly variable, such a strin-
gent condition can be problematic. So, it becomes mutually
beneficial for both researchers and farmers to understand and
implement agronomic practices that will result in higher pro-
duction. Evidence also suggests that farmers are quite capable
of adopting complex technological interventions as long as
there is reciprocal relationship between them and the research-
ers (Witcombe et al., 1996; Joshi et al., 2001).
c. Institutional changes that led to technological innova-
tion in marginal areas
: Parallel to the government's effort in
developing technologies for improving production in agricul-
ture, there has been a significant policy change that may have
contributed to the observed growth in rice productivity. One of
the most important policy changes with regard to rice produc-
tivity has been the decision by the government to deregulate the
fertiliser policy in 1997. This change in policy (i) allowed the
private sectors to import and distribute fertilisers, (ii) phased
out a fertiliser subsidy and (iii) deregulated fertiliser prices. In
the absence of detailed data, it is difficult to precisely assess the
impacts of the deregulation policy on the fertiliser use by the
