Seed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in Bihar, India: a supply-side perspective

Abstract An examination of the dynamics of seed markets in Bihar, India, reveals a paradox—despite an influx of wheat varieties bred by public and private sectors and the proliferation of seed market networks in rural villages, older wheat varieties remain prevalent—necessitating a thorough investig...

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Main Authors: Hari Krishnan Kala-Satheesh, Drisya Kuriyedath, Jesna Jaleel, E. P. Nihal Rahman, Archana Raghavan Sathyan, Vijayalaxmi D. Khed, A. G. Adeeth Cariappa, Vijesh V. Krishna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-11-01
Series:Agricultural and Food Economics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-024-00330-w
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author Hari Krishnan Kala-Satheesh
Drisya Kuriyedath
Jesna Jaleel
E. P. Nihal Rahman
Archana Raghavan Sathyan
Vijayalaxmi D. Khed
A. G. Adeeth Cariappa
Vijesh V. Krishna
author_facet Hari Krishnan Kala-Satheesh
Drisya Kuriyedath
Jesna Jaleel
E. P. Nihal Rahman
Archana Raghavan Sathyan
Vijayalaxmi D. Khed
A. G. Adeeth Cariappa
Vijesh V. Krishna
author_sort Hari Krishnan Kala-Satheesh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract An examination of the dynamics of seed markets in Bihar, India, reveals a paradox—despite an influx of wheat varieties bred by public and private sectors and the proliferation of seed market networks in rural villages, older wheat varieties remain prevalent—necessitating a thorough investigation of the seed distribution system. Unlike most empirical studies that examine the adoption of new and improved crop varieties from a farmer's perspective, our study shifts the focus to the seed supply side. We analyse data collected from 200 private seed dealers who cater to the needs of over 163,000 farmers spread across 10 districts in Bihar. We use descriptive statistics alongside dealer-level and varietal-level regression models to examine the relationship between seed sales and varietal age. Findings indicate that the number of varieties available with a dealer (varietal richness) is positively associated with the number of seed buyers (dealer’s reach) and the total quantity of seeds sold. Private varieties are in demand despite their higher prices. Dealer-level models showed that varietal age affects neither the reach nor the sales, allowing older public-sector varieties to coexist with more recent private-sector ones. However, the varietal-level regression models show that dealers rank the new varieties higher as the ones being sold more. To explore the potential of private seed markets to reduce the proliferation of old wheat varieties that are more susceptible to evolving biotic and abiotic stress factors, we recommend strengthening the varietal registration and seed certification processes, implementing better seed traceability systems, and fostering public–private partnerships in variety development and seed dissemination. Investing in market experiments to incentivize seed dealers to engage in quality assurance can help refine strategies and ensure efficient and inclusive dissemination of promising wheat varieties.
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spelling doaj-art-67b4989e5beb4d5b82eb0d5d63b08fc82024-11-17T12:06:17ZengSpringerOpenAgricultural and Food Economics2193-75322024-11-0112112810.1186/s40100-024-00330-wSeed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in Bihar, India: a supply-side perspectiveHari Krishnan Kala-Satheesh0Drisya Kuriyedath1Jesna Jaleel2E. P. Nihal Rahman3Archana Raghavan Sathyan4Vijayalaxmi D. Khed5A. G. Adeeth Cariappa6Vijesh V. Krishna7Department of Agricultural Statistics, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV)Sustainable Agri-Food Systems (SAS) Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU)Sustainable Agri-Food Systems (SAS) Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural UniversitySustainable Agri-Food Systems (SAS) Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)Sustainable Agri-Food Systems (SAS) Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)Sustainable Agri-Food Systems (SAS) Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)Abstract An examination of the dynamics of seed markets in Bihar, India, reveals a paradox—despite an influx of wheat varieties bred by public and private sectors and the proliferation of seed market networks in rural villages, older wheat varieties remain prevalent—necessitating a thorough investigation of the seed distribution system. Unlike most empirical studies that examine the adoption of new and improved crop varieties from a farmer's perspective, our study shifts the focus to the seed supply side. We analyse data collected from 200 private seed dealers who cater to the needs of over 163,000 farmers spread across 10 districts in Bihar. We use descriptive statistics alongside dealer-level and varietal-level regression models to examine the relationship between seed sales and varietal age. Findings indicate that the number of varieties available with a dealer (varietal richness) is positively associated with the number of seed buyers (dealer’s reach) and the total quantity of seeds sold. Private varieties are in demand despite their higher prices. Dealer-level models showed that varietal age affects neither the reach nor the sales, allowing older public-sector varieties to coexist with more recent private-sector ones. However, the varietal-level regression models show that dealers rank the new varieties higher as the ones being sold more. To explore the potential of private seed markets to reduce the proliferation of old wheat varieties that are more susceptible to evolving biotic and abiotic stress factors, we recommend strengthening the varietal registration and seed certification processes, implementing better seed traceability systems, and fostering public–private partnerships in variety development and seed dissemination. Investing in market experiments to incentivize seed dealers to engage in quality assurance can help refine strategies and ensure efficient and inclusive dissemination of promising wheat varieties.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-024-00330-wVarietal turnoverVarietal ageSeed demandSeed supply marketsPrivate sector breeding
spellingShingle Hari Krishnan Kala-Satheesh
Drisya Kuriyedath
Jesna Jaleel
E. P. Nihal Rahman
Archana Raghavan Sathyan
Vijayalaxmi D. Khed
A. G. Adeeth Cariappa
Vijesh V. Krishna
Seed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in Bihar, India: a supply-side perspective
Agricultural and Food Economics
Varietal turnover
Varietal age
Seed demand
Seed supply markets
Private sector breeding
title Seed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in Bihar, India: a supply-side perspective
title_full Seed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in Bihar, India: a supply-side perspective
title_fullStr Seed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in Bihar, India: a supply-side perspective
title_full_unstemmed Seed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in Bihar, India: a supply-side perspective
title_short Seed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in Bihar, India: a supply-side perspective
title_sort seed market dynamics and diffusion of new wheat varieties in bihar india a supply side perspective
topic Varietal turnover
Varietal age
Seed demand
Seed supply markets
Private sector breeding
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-024-00330-w
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