Farmers’ Preference and Adoption of Rice Varieties Grown in Hill Region of Assam Based on Varietal Attributes

Abstract

Aims: The present study was undertaken to enlist the rice varieties grown in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, India and to identify the most preferred varieties and the preference criteria as perceived by the rice growers at individual level. Place and Duration of Study: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Karbi Anglong, Diphu in the district of Karbi Anglong, Assam, between April 2018 and March 2019. Methodology: We included 30 farmers who were non-respondent in the main study and 90 farmers in the main study. We used Participatory Rural Appraisal, Personal Interview Method and Interview Schedule. Results: The study revealed that 18 rice varieties are normally grown by the farmers of Karbi Anglong for lunch and dinner making. Among 18 rice varieties Gaya, Ranjit, Agarsali, Bordhan, Basuri are the five most preferred rice varieties respectively. There are twelve quality parameters which were identified by the non respondent rice growers based on which farmers prefer a particular rice variety. The quality parameter in accordance with their preference are yield, suitability to land situation, duration, taste, planting time flexibility, after cooking quality, disease and pest resistance, fertilizer requirement, market demand, hunger chasing, draught resistance and cold resistance.