Value Chain Analysis of Pusa Basmati 1121 and Pusa Rudhira in the North West Plain Zone of India

As a premier agricultural research institute, IARI, New Delhi has developed and released several promising crop varieties that have significantly contributed to enhancing farmers’ income and crop productivity. Among these, the paddy commercial variety Pusa Basmati 1121 and the carrot commercial variety Pusa Rudhira stand out. Currently, Pusa Basmati rice varieties contribute nearly 90% of the total foreign exchange earnings (Rs. 29,923 crores) from Basmati rice exports, which amount to Rs. 31,025 crores. For Pusa Rudhira, the net return was computed to be considerably higher (Rs. 2,22,690/ha) compared to desi red (Rs. 161,169/ha). Against this background, the study was conducted in the year 2022, covering the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi. A total of 160 farmers growing Pusa Basmati 1121 and Pusa Rudhira were selected randomly. The findings revealed the presence of four value chains each for Pusa Basmati 1121 and Pusa Rudhira. In the case of Pusa Basmati 1121, the highest marketing efficiency of the value chain was found to be 1.84, followed by 1.77, 1.70, and 1.43. For Pusa Rudhira, the highest marketing efficiency of the value chain was 0.71, followed by 0.51, 0.35, and 0.05. The efficient value chains may be replicated under similar conditions to enhance farmers’ income.