Participatory research in paddy cultivation in Kasaragod district of Kerala: A case study

Abstract

Paddy cultivation in Kerala is declining due to non-remunerative returns owing to high cost of labour combined with poor productivity. Analysis of problem-cause relationship through farmer participatory approach revealed that low profitability was mainly due to the reasons of unavailability of quality seed, imbalanced use of fertilizers, improper plant protection measures, weed menace and high labour cost. The technological intervention points identified through farmer participatory approach and implicated on-farm conditions revealed that high yielding medium duration variety Aishwarya out-yielded local variety with substantial higher returns in the project area. Application of recommended dose of fertilizers gave around 500 kg grains per ha extra over farmers practice. On farm research on weed control in paddy revealed that application of weedicide gave an average yield of 2.5 t ha-1 as compared to farmers practice of 2.2 t ha-1. Control of insect pests like leaf roller and stem borer gave additional net returns of Rs. 1105/ha by way of increased yield over farmers' practice.