Appropriate Technologies for Improving Yield and Income of Small Holders Growing Rice Paddy in Rainfed Low Lands of Agro-Biodiversity Hotspots in India

Abstract

Rainfed paddy production accounts for 30% of rice production in India and supports the nutrition of some of India’s poorest farmers. Agro-biodiversity hotspots in India such as Kollihills are rich in genetic variability of economically important staple crops such as rice, millets and tubers inhabited by tribal malayali farmers who largely depend on rice as food for their subsistence. Poor agronomic practices, inadequate water and fertilizer management in growing improved rice varieties resulted in a 50% yield reduction compared to yields obtained from improved package of practices of similar farming situation. Farmers participatory research conducted by M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, India and University of Alberta Canada, in rice paddy cultivation in two seasons of subsequent years 2012 and 2013 showed that adoption of appropriate technologies in rainfed low land paddy help small farmers reaching doubled their yield and income than control.