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‘Sticky Rice’: Variety inertia and groundwater crisis in a technologically progressive state of India

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Listed:
  • Joshi, Kuhu
  • Joshi, Pramod Kumar
  • Khan, Md. Tajuddin
  • Kishore, Avinash

Abstract

This paper studies the high adoption of Pusa 44, a long-duration and old rice variety cultivated in Punjab, despite the availability of new short-duration varieties and the overall technological advancement of agriculture. We use farm-household data from a primary survey conducted in 2016-17. Pusa 44 yields on average 2.5 quintals higher per hectare than competing short-duration variety PR 121. It also consumes 16 percent additional water because of its longer duration. As energy for groundwater irrigation is provided tariff-free by the state, Pusa 44 farmers obtain higher net returns even though they pump additional groundwater. Consequently, they have little economic incentive to switch to new short-duration varieties. This varietal stickiness is a pressing policy issue considering the ongoing groundwater crisis in the state. We show that Punjab currently incurs an additional energy-subsidy cost of US$ 49 million per annum on irrigating Pusa 44. Future costs will continue to multiply unless farmers are incentivized to switch to short-duration rice varieties.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshi, Kuhu & Joshi, Pramod Kumar & Khan, Md. Tajuddin & Kishore, Avinash, 2018. "‘Sticky Rice’: Variety inertia and groundwater crisis in a technologically progressive state of India," IFPRI discussion papers 1766, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1766
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    References listed on IDEAS

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