Factors Affecting Accessibility, Use and Performance of Quality Seeds in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar: Farmers’ Experiences

Farmers face several challenges in procuring and using quality seeds from different sources. Accessibility to quality seed has become a serious issue for farmers in the context of shifts in Indian seed policy towards privatization of seed sector. In this context, it was envisaged to study the extent of farmers’ accessibility to quality seed from formal and informal seed sector. The study was undertaken in Samastipur and Vaishali districts of Bihar and Warangal and Anantapur districts of Andhra Pradesh (AP) covering 240 farmer households using a pre-tested semi-structured scale and interview schedule. Ten parameters were included to measure the extent of farmers’ accessibility to quality seed. The study found that there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between the farmers of AP and Bihar with respect to variables such as proximity to seed source, physical and genetic purity of seed purchased from formal sources and farm saved seed. It indicated that the major source of purchased seeds in both the states was dealer/retailer at nearby tehsil/mandal/town headquarters. The physical and genetic purity of certified/quality seeds purchased from market in both the states was moderate whereas quality of farm saved seeds in both the states was very high. The difference between farmers of AP and Bihar was statistically significant with respect to variables such as timeliness in availability of seeds, availability in adequate quantities, credibility of source of seed and price of seeds (p<0.01); crop performance, and documentation and record keeping (p<0.05). Farmers in AP had significantly higher access to timely availability of seeds in adequate quantities from credible sources. The prices of purchased seeds were significantly higher in AP when compared to Bihar. The difference between expected yield and actual yield realized by farmers by using purchased seeds in Bihar was higher when compared to the farmers in AP. The number of farmers who practiced record keeping was significantly higher in AP when compared to Bihar. Farmers of AP fared comparatively better than their counterparts in Bihar with respect to overall accessibility to quality seeds. However, overall accessibility to quality seed in both the states was found to be medium for majority of the farmers. The low physical and genetic purity of purchased seed and consequent lower yields was a cause of concern in both the states and requires the attention of central and state governments in addressing the gaps in infrastructure and skilled manpower in public sector seed system. The experiences of farmers in the study area indicated that increase in Seed Replacement Rate (as evident from purchase of new seeds every season from market) in itself is not an indicator of use of quality seed and high crop productivity. There are risks associated with purchasing new seeds every year from market under weak quality control regime such as crop failure on account of spurious seeds. Hence, extent of crop failure by using purchased seed (against use of farm saved seed) and difference between expected yield and actual yield realized by the farmer are to be estimated as externalities of increasing SRR. Hence, combination of parameters such as Variety Replacement Rate (VRR), SRR and use of farm saved seeds seems to be the better and scientific indicator of farmers’ accessibility to quality seed and increasing crop productivity. There is a strong need to create awareness among the farmers regarding record keeping of seed transactions. This is crucial for farmers in settling economic and legal issues related to compensation, insurance and other consumer rights. Informal seed sector needs to be strengthened as an alternative to the formal seed sector to protect the farmers from indulging in distress purchase of spurious seeds from the open/unregulated market. The Seeds Bill 2004, which is pending in the Parliament to be passed into an act, needs to address the problems of farmers by suitable amendments related to compensation mechanism, regulation of seed sale prices and incentivizing informal seed sector.