Hybrid Rice Seed Production under Contract Farming: A SWOT Analysis

The paper has conducted SWOT analysis of hybrid rice seed production under contract farming in the year 2013–14 by interviewing 90 farmers, thirty each from Warangal and Karimnagar districts of Telangana and Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The Garrett's ranking technique was employed to prioritize the perceptions of seed producers. The study has revealed that price volatility, income stability and timely supply of inputs and technical advices were the major strengths in hybrid rice seed production. The major weakness was drudgery in additional operations like rouging and supplementary pollination. The threats to hybrid rice seed production were competition among the companies, breach of contract by either party and dependence of seed producers for inputs and technical advices on the companies. The study has suggested evolution of legal safeguarding mechanisms to avoid breach of contract between producers and seed companies. Since hybrid rice can contribute significantly to the food security of the country, there is an opportunity to increase hybrid rice seed yields.