MSc

Registered Seed Growers Programme (RSGP) is a formal seed system
implemented in Kerala to guarantee the supply of certified rice seeds tailored to local
conditions. Despite the program's longstanding presence since 2001-02, the intention
of farmers to participate in or continue with the program has not been thoroughly
investigated. Therefore, a study is necessary to address this knowledge gap.
The specific objectives followed in the study include: assessment of the
behavioural dynamics of farmers in the Registered Seed Growers Programme (RSGP)
with respect to seed production, investigation of the extent of adoption of standards in
seed production among the RSGP farmers, explore the determinants of performance
of RSGP groups in seed production and analysis of the constraints in seed production
among the stakeholders. Following expost facto research design, the study was
purposively conducted in Kuzhalmannam and Kollengode blocks in Palakkad district
with highest area under seed production. Farmers with a minimum 5 years of
experience in RSGP were selected as respondents. Five padasekharams from
Kollengode block and four padasekharams from Kuzhalmannam block with a total of
120 farmers and 30 individual seed producing farmers, constituted 150 respondents in
RSGP. Additionally, one discontinued padasekharam with 30 farmers served as the
control group. Twenty extension personnel were also included, bringing the total
sample size as 200.
Behavioural dynamics is operationalized as the efforts of farmer to continue in
the RSGP programme and explored with the Theory of planned behaviour (Ajzen,
1991). The study measured behavioural dynamics in terms of attitude, subjective
norm, perceived behavioural control and behavioural intention. Structural Equation
Modelling (SEM) was employed to proven the appropriateness of the theoretical
model. Model implicated the significant relationship of subjective norms and attitude,
perceived behavioural control and attitude, perceived bahavioural control and
behavioural intention. Moderator influence of scheme satisfaction on perceived
behavioural control and attitude was also proved. Continuing farmers exhibited a
significant difference in behavioural dynamics compared to the discontinued farmers.
Adoption of seed standards among the practicing farmers were assessed using
the adoption index. Results revealed that most entrusted standards ie, isolation
distance, roguing and moisture content were highly adopted among farmers. More
than half of the farmers (56%) were categorised under high adopter categories
indicating farmer proficiency in the seed production procedures. However, special
attention to be taken to enhance the adoption in nursery management (38.61%) and
plant protection (37.18%) standards which were least adopted among farmers. Further
significant difference was observed in the adoption level among padasekharams and
individual seed producing farmers. Ordinal logistic regression derived area under seed
production, adequate trainings on standard procedure, and cost of seed production as
factors influencing the adoption of seed production standards.
As most of the farmers under the scheme practiced within padasekharams,
group performance was measured for the eight selected groups. Group performance
index under seven dimensions as individual member objectives, participation culture,
group participation, perceived equity, group rewards, member satisfaction and power
distance were formulated Index scores indicated that enhanced rewards (0.90) and
member satisfaction (0.75) would leads to higher group performance. Further
performance difference was statistically proved among Padasekharams. Three factors
were extracted in factor analysis as determinants of performance. The factors were
named as stimulation factors, participation factors and priority factors of group
performance.
Major constraints of farmers and extension personnel were analyzed using
Rank based quotient. The delays in procurement (94.07) and payment (78.59),
shortage in skilled labour (79.70), inadequate quality of foundation seed (74.43),
absence of seed testing lab in the district (87.89) were the prominent constraints of
rice seed farmers in Palakkad district. Since most of the constraints expressed occur at
the post production stages interventions at the institutional level are to be strengthened
immediately. The major constraints of extension personnel were identified as the time
consuming seed production procedures, delays and extra workload.
The present study highlighted the favourable attitude towards the programme,
peer pressure and ability in performing the seed production are the factors influencing
farmers’ efforts to practice and continue the behaviour over the long term.
Behavioural dynamics could be supplemented with the higher adoption of seed
standards among farmers, measures to improve group participation and performance,
and revamping existing institutional procedures. Therefore, the scheme could
effectively achieve the objectives of farmer centered quality seed production in rice in
the state.