Book Chapter

Equity issues in varietal dissemination through farmers' fairs (Kisan Melas) in Punjab, India

author(s)

Singh, J

regions
  • India
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full citation

Singh, J.; Malhi, S.S.; Witcombe, John R.; Virk, Daljit S.. 2001. Equity issues in varietal dissemination through farmers' fairs (Kisan Melas) in Punjab, India. In: An exchange of experiences from South and South East Asia: Proceedings of the international symposium on Participatory plant breeding and participatory plant genetic resources enhancement, Pokhara, Nepal, 1-5 May 2000. Cali: CGIAR Program for Participatory Research and Gender Analysis: 291-296.

In the Punjab state of India, grain production has rapidly increased. One factor in this increase has been the fast adoption of new varieties. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has played a major role in distributing certified seed of new vanities to the farmers of the stale, Most of Ihe seed is distributed by sales al farmers' fairs (kisan melas) held al PAU and its regional research stations. In this study, equity issues in the sale of wheal seed were examined in farmers' fairs held in September 1999.

In the PAU kisan mela, smallholder farmers were found to be considerably underrepresented and large farmers considerably overrepresented. The geographical distribution of the farmers who purchased seed was also studied. As might be expected, farmers tended to come to where Ihe kisan mela was held from nearby administrative areas (termed blocks). This resulted in certain blocks being poorly represented.

PAU needs to address equity issues, both socioeconomically and geographically, by increasing the outlets for seed sales in remote districts, and areas of the state, and by encouraging small farmers to attend the kisan melas and purchase seed.