Re: risk mgt in reduced input ag/long
d.parthasarathy (dp@hss.iitb.ernet.in)
Wed, 28 Oct 1998 13:58:37 +0530 (IST)
Other than the factors responsible for yield variation mentioned bt Dr.Ann
Clark, I think, traditional varieties and cultivars had become adatped
over a period of time to changes in weather, etc. Studies carried out at
the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, have
shown that that under the same weather conditions, new cultivars and
hybrieds with 'improved' management practices have greater variability as
compared to the more stable yields of traditional cultivars with
traditional low-input management practices. Many high yielding varieties
are just too risky for farmers to adopt. This has been the case especially
with the 'coarse' grains such as sorghum and millets. The adoption rate
for new varities in these crops is abysmally low despite the huge amounts
spent on research. Farmers in arid areas with high variability in weather
seem to prefer low but stable yields to high risk.
D.Parthasarathy
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