Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T00:02:52.168Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Improved Livelihoods, Genetic Diversity and Farmer Participation: A Strategy for Rice Breeding in Rainfed Areas of India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

D. M. Maurya
Affiliation:
Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Narendra Nagar, Kumarganj, Faizabad, India
A. Bottrall
Affiliation:
Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Narendra Nagar, Kumarganj, Faizabad, India
J. Farrington
Affiliation:
Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Narendra Nagar, Kumarganj, Faizabad, India

Summary

The present structure of plant breeding and seed multiplication in India is highly centralized. Furthermore, only a small number of new varieties is officially released each year. The system therefore appears inappropriate for the requirements of the large proportion of Indian farmers located in risk-prone and highly diverse environments. An alternative strategy is described whose central feature is close matching of the characteristics of farmers' traditional rice varieties with those of advanced breeders' lines. A selection from these lines is then distributed in small quantities for on-farm trials managed by farmers themselves. If the success of these initial efforts is to be sustained, a more decentralized approach to breeding and multiplication will be necessary.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Conway, G. R. (1987). The properties of agroecosystems. Agricultural Systems 24:110111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Farrington, J. & Martin, A. (1987). Farmer Participatory Research: A Review of Concepts and Practice. Discussion Paper 19. London: ODI Agricultural Administration Network.Google Scholar
IRRN (1987). The IRRI scientists awarded Japan's top science prize. International Rice Research News 12(3):54.Google Scholar
Sharma, S. D. (1985). Status of rice germplasm in India. Paper for National Symposium on Rice Genetics and Breeding, DRR, Hyderabad, April 1985.Google Scholar