Track 3-04: Social and Economic Adaptation to Changes in Grassland Resources and Markets
Description
India is a significant producer of Stylosanthes (stylo) seed (principally S. hamata). Most of this seed is produced by villagers and small farmers in the Anantpur district, Andhra Pradesh, southern India. This is one of the poorest regions in the State, with harsh climatic conditions, poor, zinc-deficient soils, and (in the stylo seed production area) farm sizes averaging less than 2 ha. Marketing is handled by an informal network of seed traders who distribute stylo seed within a 25-30 km radius and, via the next level of traders, to other parts of India. A survey of seed production in this area in 2002/03 indicated that stylo seed production in 2001 was about 800 t from more than 400 ha (Rao et al. 2004). A second survey, conducted in 2012, showed that the stylo seed production area had declined to 150 ha, and that annual seed production had declined to about 300 t. Most of the decline had occurred since 2007, when the purchase of seed for watershed rehabilitation in the States of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh was discontinued. In addition to the loss of this major market, other factors influenced the reduction in stylo seed production. These included the low price of stylo seed compared with groundnut (the crop mainly competing for land use); sales of land for other purposes, and diversion of one area as a Special Economic Zone; reduced availability and increased costs of labour, particularly after the establishment in 2005 of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Agency (NREGA) which provided an attractive employment option for rural workers; lack of technical support; and, in one case, delays in payment. Poor seed quality is another issue constraining prices. Despite these challenges, many farmers in the region remain positive and would continue to produce stylo seed if profitability could be improved.
Included in
Current Status of Stylosanthes Seed Production in Southern India
India is a significant producer of Stylosanthes (stylo) seed (principally S. hamata). Most of this seed is produced by villagers and small farmers in the Anantpur district, Andhra Pradesh, southern India. This is one of the poorest regions in the State, with harsh climatic conditions, poor, zinc-deficient soils, and (in the stylo seed production area) farm sizes averaging less than 2 ha. Marketing is handled by an informal network of seed traders who distribute stylo seed within a 25-30 km radius and, via the next level of traders, to other parts of India. A survey of seed production in this area in 2002/03 indicated that stylo seed production in 2001 was about 800 t from more than 400 ha (Rao et al. 2004). A second survey, conducted in 2012, showed that the stylo seed production area had declined to 150 ha, and that annual seed production had declined to about 300 t. Most of the decline had occurred since 2007, when the purchase of seed for watershed rehabilitation in the States of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh was discontinued. In addition to the loss of this major market, other factors influenced the reduction in stylo seed production. These included the low price of stylo seed compared with groundnut (the crop mainly competing for land use); sales of land for other purposes, and diversion of one area as a Special Economic Zone; reduced availability and increased costs of labour, particularly after the establishment in 2005 of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Agency (NREGA) which provided an attractive employment option for rural workers; lack of technical support; and, in one case, delays in payment. Poor seed quality is another issue constraining prices. Despite these challenges, many farmers in the region remain positive and would continue to produce stylo seed if profitability could be improved.
