A Study on Sources and Management of Paddy Seed in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Aims: To study the different sources of paddy seed, share of different varieties, seed replacement rate and management of paddy seed by the farmers in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Study Design: The present study is based on primary data and information. One development block was selected randomly from the Mau district, and five villages were again selected randomly from the selected block. From each selected village, the data and information were collected from 20 randomly selected farmers on the basis of probability proportional to the total number of farmers in each farm category.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted in Mau district of Uttar Pradesh during the agricultural year 2013-14.

Methodology: The Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) in paddy was worked out both in case of certified and quality seed separately. Certified seed meant that each bag of seed used by the farmers has certification tag and label. Quality seed includes both seed, i.e. certified seed and truthfully labelled seed (TLS). TLS production is entirely free from government certification scheme, but Labelling is also compulsory in case of TLS.

Results: The analysis of data for procurement of paddy seed from different sources shows that farmers used the maximum quantity (31.65 per cent) of farm-saved seed followed by private seed dealers (22.70 per cent), Research Institute (20.06 per cent), Department of agriculture/ Co-operatives (12.71 per cent) and authorized dealers (9.75 per cent). The farmers were using 26.47 kg paddy seed per ha in comparison to the recommended level of 30 kg/ha. Seed replacement rate for paddy was 42.99 and was 63.46 per cent with respect to certified seed and quality seed respectively. The ratio of public and private sector paddy varieties regarding area covered in the study area was 77:23. It was found that 51.00 per cent farmers paid attention to the crop in the field itself to select the crop to be used as seed. Past experience of the farmers was the main criteria for judgments on purity and quality of paddy seed.

Conclusion: The study suggests that farmers may be motivated and educated for the use of quality seed and seed replacement from authentic sources. Also, seed agencies need to strengthen their distribution network for easy and timely availability of quality seed to the farmers.