METODOLOGÍA DIDÁCTICA QUE SE VA A APLICAR:

The quantification of the welfare gains or research benefits from adoption of short-duration chickpea improved cultivars in Andhra Pradesh are estimated and presented in this section. The impact assessment analysis starts with a schematic illustration of the impact pathway for the short duration chickpea technology (Fig 7.1). This pathway appeals to the framework illustrated (Fig 4.1) in the methodology chapter 4. The impact pathway uses the data and information collated from Chapters 3, 5 and 6 and demonstrates the role of critical variables in quantifying final impacts. It illustrates the components of the complex interactions which ultimately lead to impacts. The adaptive research infrastructure, and seeds and adoption systems are highlighted, along with the effects of new short duration varieties on farmer’s unit cost of production which enhances the chickpea market supply. It is this shift in the supply that generates welfare changes for the community, particularly the chickpea producers and consumers and the many groups ultimately influenced by the initial chickpea market changes. As explained in Chapter 4, all the minimum dataset parameters used in welfare calculations are analysed from either primary household survey data or secondary sources of information. The summary of break-up of welfare estimates are summarized and discussed in this chapter. Similarly, sensitivity analysis has also been performed to understand the extent of sensitivity of each parameter in welfare quantification process.

7.1 The Impact Pathway: ICRISAT/NARS short duration improved chickpea varieties

The impact pathway for chickpea short duration R4D is illustrated in Figure 7.1. The impact pathway tracks the technology development, introduction and expansion of short duration chickpeas through ICRISAT-NARS partnerships which produced the successful varieties in 1999 and hastened adoption which ultimately resulted to replacement of the long- dominating old variety (Annigeri). It demonstrates the critical engagement of stakeholders (which enabled the release, uptake and impact in Andhra Pradesh) along the R4D, extension and dissemination horizon.

It is notable that chickpea was not even a minor crop in Andhra Pradesh until 1985. While short winters, terminal moisture stress, wilt disease and pod borer were the major constraints for growing chickpea in this southern states of India, there were at least four recognised advantages in chickpea crop cultivation - easy to grow, free from foliar and fungal diseases, and less vegetative growth. Farmers also perceived chickpea production to have less risk in production. Late maturing varieties namely Gulabi and Jyoti (selections from land races) were under cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, alongside Annegiri which was released in 1978 from the state of Karnataka. While four more releases of medium duration cultivars were noted including ICCC 4 and ICCV 10 in subsequent years, it was the medium duration variety Annegiri which continued to dominate chickpea cultivation in Andhra Pradesh and the rest of southern India for more than three decades.

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The schematic diagram indicates that research on short duration started in 1978 when the initial investment of ICRISAT/NARS research inputs towards this research focus was recorded. As detailed in Chapter 3, the close and sustained collaborative efforts led to the development of the first short duration improved chickpea cultivar Swetha (ICCV 2) which was released in India in 1993. But the farmers of southern India, particularly Andhra Pradesh farmers, were seemingly not ready for uptake of this new release at that time. It seems that (based on focus group meeting with farmers and personal communication with concerned breeders) this first short duration release was considered to be too extra early maturing. Also relevant was the constrained seed multiplication encountered and therefore limitations in seed availability. In other words, this release in 1993 did not have a successful uptake. While other short duration varieties were also released during the mid-90s, all faced similar constraints as well.

The continuing research collaboration between ICRISAT with JNKVV Jabalpur and Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad on crop improvement and management addressed more aggressively the above constraints and harnessed opportunities to develop new cultivars which could make chickpea a most suitable crop for the region. A network programme from ICRISAT with South and Central zone research stations was initiated through exchange of breeding material with an aim of identifying short duration, high yielding and disease resistant varieties. This led to the development of a second wave of releases starting 1999 including desi type cultivars (JG11, JAKI 9218, SAKI Nandyal-1) as well as kabuli types (KAK 2, VIHAR, JKG 1). To follow this up, on-farm trials which were conducted in early 2000 strongly recommended the adoption of short-duration and high yielding varieties, specifically JG 11 and KAK 2. Since then Andhra Pradesh witnessed a notable uptake of improved chickpea cultivars and corresponding increase in cropped area.

The joint partnerships that successfully released and promoted the second wave of short duration chickpea releases, particularly JG 11 and KAK 2 among others, seemed to have come at exactly the right time given the context of the crop production and economic environment surrounding chickpea around 1999. Interviews with farmers and focus group meetings revealed that Andhra Pradesh farmers in the late 90s to early 2000s were particularly looking for alternative more remunerable crop options to substitute for the traditional crops like tobacco, sunflower and sorghum; and they especially recognised that chickpea fetched good market prices. It was also noted that it was also in the late 90s when the Government of Andhra Pradesh declared a “tobacco holiday” which banned or discouraged tobacco production due to unfavourable global export markets. But most critically, the driving factor that enabled the fast uptake process was the research, extension and seed multiplication agencies in Andhra Pradesh actively joining with ICRISAT and the JNKVV Central Chickpea Research Institute based in Jabalpur to address the binding seed constraint experienced during earlier years. Specifically, the bulk introduction and multiplication of seed by Andhra Pradesh State Seed Development Corporation (APSSDC) were complemented by the Department of Agriculture subsidy which enabled distribution of huge quantities of improved seeds to farmers. This joint massive collective effort not only made farmers aware of the new releases but enabled them to have access to improved seeds as farmers increasingly found chickpea to be more remunerative compared to the old

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chickpea variety Annigeri and even more competitive than other traditional crops grown in the rainfed regions of the state.

By and large, the impact pathway highlights the Andhra Pradesh farmers’ hastened uptake of JG 11 and KAK 2 (among the second wave releases of short duration chickpea varieties technology) as the R4D effort of ICRISAT and national program partners were significantly complemented with enabling seed systems infrastructure and conducive economic and policy environment, all of which are instrumental in up-scaling the chickpea technology towards creating a real legumes revolution in Andhra Pradesh. Approaching the year 2010, the earlier dominating chickpea variety Annigeri (and other traditional crops including tobacco, sorghum, sunflower etc.) has been replaced by improved short duration cultivars. This resulted in what is now referred to as the “AP chickpea silent revolution” with five-fold increase in area, with doubling productivity and ten-fold increase in production in the state. Currently, more than 90 per cent of chickpea area in the state is covered with short- duration chickpea cultivars (especially JG 11 and KAK 2) and most of farmers have moved from subsistence to commercial chickpea farming by mechanizing their operations except harvesting.

The impact analysis and measurement in subsequent sections will show how JG 11 and KAK 2 (among the second wave release of short duration cultivars) which produced significant higher yields and lower unit cost of production (and therefore higher profits) have ultimately achieved measurable impacts with widespread welfare gains to both chickpea producers and consumers of Andhra Pradesh in India.

7.2 Key parameters used in welfare estimation calculations

The robustness of welfare estimates for any technology lies in usage of proper or most reliable key parameters. The minimum dataset parameters should be properly assessed and validated through rigor process. Any error in the estimation or usage of improper parameters leads to un-realistic estimation of welfare benefits. So enough care has been taken in assessing the following key parameters: