Study on cultivation and marketing of traditional rice varieties in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

India is endowed exceptionally with a rich biodiversity suited to rice ecosystem. Several varieties are unique to various states and also to ethnic groups. Indigenous varieties are still conserved for a variety of reasons. The present study analyzed the traditional rice cultivation and marketing in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu. The two districts were selected purposively and 70 farmers were selected randomly from these districts for the study. Mappilai Samba, a leading variety was ranked first followed by Seeraga Samba, Thuyamalli, Sigappukavuni, Karuppukavuni, Poongar, Kuzhiyadichan and Kaivirai. The total cost of cultivation of traditional rice was worked out to be Rs 34235.4 per acre. Gross return realized from one acre of traditional rice grown by sample farmers was Rs 51000 and net return Rs 16764.60. Two types of marketing channels were identified in the study area. Channel I included the NGO-based FPO and channel II the millers and processors as market intermediaries. Price spread analysis was estimated for one ton of rice and the sample farmers received a higher consumer share of rupee (65.48%) in channel I and only 42.02 per cent in channel II. The constraints faced by the farmers in traditional rice production and marketing as per the order of importance were no support from government, absence of crop insurance coverage, duplicate products in market, non-availability of seeds, lack of awareness among consumers, large number of middlemen etc.