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Adoption of Modern Maize Varieties in India: Insights Based on Expert Elicitation Methodology

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Abstract

Adoption of modern varieties of maize, characterised by higher genetic potential, is desirable from the viewpoint of increasing the maize yield level. At present, there is no well-structured and organised system for documenting the popular crop varieties and their area coverage in India. The present study attempts to fill such knowledge gaps by documenting the major maize varieties and estimating the adoption rates under the same, using the expert elicitation methodology. The study finds that maize cultivation in the traditional growing states and tribal belts is mainly dominated by the cultivation of local varieties and composites with a low seed replacement rate, especially during kharif season. Most widely cultivated maize varieties in India were P-3501, NK-6240, P-3396 and N-K30. Among the public sector varieties JM-216, JVM-421, African Tall, Narmada Moti and GM-6 were widely cultivated. The private sector maize varieties are dominating in those states where maize is mainly cultivated for commercial purpose such as feed and other industries. General resistance to diseases, lodging tolerance, grain colour, high shelling recovery and good storage life are some of the preferred attributes of the popular varieties. Several promising varieties from the public sector have not reached the farmers’ fields due to non-availability of seed. On the other hand, private sector maize hybrids have successfully diffused to farmers’ fields owning to strong marketing initiatives. Public sector varieties need to be brought under an efficient seed production system along with an effective transfer of hybrid maize cultivation technology to boost the maize yield levels and production in India.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Strengthening Impact Assessment in the CGIAR (SIAC) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) for funding the study. We thank the support and cooperation received from Dr. Mywish Maredia, Michigan State University, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) Dr Ramesh Chand, Former Director, ICAR-NIAP and acknowledge the cooperation of all maize experts from both the public and private sectors. The guidance and support of Dr Sain Dass, Former Director, ICAR- IIMR, is thankfully acknowledged. Our sincere thanks to Dr Chickappa, Scientist, ICAR-IIMR for the valuable inputs provided during this study. We are also thankful to the administrative and scientific staff of ICAR-NIAP and CIMMYT for all the support and cooperation. The authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewer for constructive comments that helped in improvising the original manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. Christian Boeber

    Present address: International Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Sankt Augustin, Germany

  2. Showkat Ahmad Shah

    Present address: Mizan Tepi University (Ethiopia), Tepi, Ethiopia

  3. S. P. Subash

    Present address: ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP), New Delhi, 110012, India

  4. Surabhi Mittal

    Present address: Center of Excellence, Tata Cornell Institute (India), Cornell University, USA, New Delhi, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP), New Delhi, 110012, India

    S. Pavithra, Showkat Ahmad Shah & P. S. Birthal

  2. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Building No. 7-B, 2nd Floor, Opposite Metro Pillar No. 153, Rajendra Park, Pusa Road, New Delhi, 110060, India

    Christian Boeber, S. P. Subash & Surabhi Mittal

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Contributions

SP, as a collaborating centre (ICAR-NIAP) PI, was involved in the overall implementation of the project, finalisation varietal output and adoption results for the study states in India and contributed in compiling the output of the study to draft a research article. CB, Project CO-PI from the lead centre (CIMMYT-India), entrusted with the expert elicitations for maize crop, provided guidance on the methodology, monitored the implementation of the project, critically reviewed the final results and the manuscript and played a crucial role in improving the quality of the same. SAS, Research associate from the collaborating centre, played a major role in the organisation of expert elicitation workshops, compilation of results and other project output, and actively contributed in compiling the relevant literature and towards the development of the manuscript. SPS, Research associate lead centre (CIMMYT-India) during this study, actively involved with the collaborating centre in implementation and monitoring of the methodology in various states and provided critical inputs on methodological issues whenever required. PB Collaborating centre (ICAR-NIAP) CO-PI, provided constant support and guidance during the implementation of the project, involved in conducting the expert elicitation workshops in various states and contributed in revising the contents of the manuscript. SM, Project PI from the lead centre (CIMMYT-India), played a key role in the overall planning and implementation of the methodology and provided valuable inputs and suggestions for revising and improvising the manuscript.

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Correspondence to S. Pavithra.

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Pavithra, S., Boeber, C., Shah, S.A. et al. Adoption of Modern Maize Varieties in India: Insights Based on Expert Elicitation Methodology. Agric Res 7, 391–401 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-018-0330-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-018-0330-x

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