Economic Impact of Frontline Demonstrations on Basmati Rice

The low yield of basmati rice and consequently low economic benefit has restricted farmers of the district to grow basmati on a larger scale. Basmati rice varieties, therefore, produced by the farmers only for home consumption and there was a very little marketed surplus available. As a consequence of the changed liberalized trade related polices of the Govt. of India and at State level, basmati rice of Jammu province has got recognition in national and international level. Farmers perceived the importance of cultivating basmati varieties for higher returns. A significant number of farmers approached Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kathua for guidance on the issue and KVK helped them to choose the right path. The low yield of basmati rice and consequently low economic benefit has restricted farmers of the district to grow basmati on a larger scale. KVK Kathua serving the farmers of the district by enhancing their farm income identified Pusa 1121 basmati seed as a potential source for increasing the farmers’ income, keeping in view the high price of basmati at national and international markets in the recent past. After standardization and refinement of Pusa 1121 rice variety procured from IARI, New Delhi, KVK has engaged in popularisation of variety through FLDs and trainings. The economics of introducing the intervention has resulted in additional income amounting to 2416.64 lakhs till the year 2015 through enhancement of area under Pusa-1121.