Comparative Study of Input Use, Productivity and Profitability of Hybrid and Traditional Rice Cultivation in Assam, India

Abstract

With the rising demand for food in India, hybrid rice plays a vital role in its high production. A research study was conducted in Assam, a northeastern state of India is purely agrarian in nature with major rice-growing seasons Ahu (Autumn), Sali (Winter) and Boro (Summer) in the state. Hybrid rice in Boro season is getting momentum in the state because it is giving higher yield to the rice farmers than traditional rice varieties. The study was design to compare the economics of hybrid rice and traditional rice cultivation in Assam with total sample of 90, considering 60 hybrid rice grower and 30 traditional rice grower using cost concepts given by CACP. The result shows that the cost of cultivation of hybrid rice was higher than the traditional rice due to the higher cost of fertilizer, seed and labour. However, the yield of hybrid rice was much higher (109.92ql-ha) than the traditional rice (49.70 ql-ha)). Thus, the farmers obtained a higher return over cost from hybrid rice (2.30) than traditional rice (1.66). The finding has suggested the adoption of hybrid rice in the study area a profitable for farmers to have more income even with the higher cost of production.