The Patterns of Use and Determinants of Crop Diversity by Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) Farmers in Rajasthan

Bonham, C. A. and Gotor, E. and Beniwal, B. R. and et al, . (2012) The Patterns of Use and Determinants of Crop Diversity by Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) Farmers in Rajasthan. Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources, 25 (1). pp. 85-96.

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to understand the determinants of on-farm diversity of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) farmers in Rajasthan, in terms of: the patterns of use of intra-specific diversity, the characteristics of both the agricultural systems and the farmers who conserve agro-biodiversity, as well as the factors that motivate farmers to grow a diverse crop. Two hundred pearl millet farming households in the 10 largest pearl millet producing districts of Rajasthan were surveyed using structured interviews about household socio-economics and use of crop genetic diversity. This analysis shows that landrace cultivation has decreased in the last ten years. Additionally, an asset-based poverty index, was created in order to classify households into three poverty groups. It was found that affluent farmers maintain a greater degree of varietal diversity on farm than poorer farmers. Irrigation and income are key determinants which affect these patterns of on-farm diversity.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This work would not have been possible without the support and guidance of Dr IS Khairwal and Dr OP Yadav from the All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Alejandra Trejo from Bioversity International for her valuable insight and analysis.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Agro-biodiversity, Conservation, Intra-specifi c diversity, Pearl millet, Rajasthan
Author Affiliation: Bioversity International, Maccarese, Rome-00057, Italy
Subjects: Plant Production
Divisions: Millet
Depositing User: Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited: 29 May 2012 10:14
Last Modified: 29 May 2012 10:15
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/5900

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