indian society of plant genetic resources - Bioversity International

The Patterns of Use and Determinants of Crop Diversity by Pearl Millet Farmers in Rajasthan 91
Table 2. Distribution of community richness according to poverty group
Level of Community Richness % Farmers Not So Poor % Farmers Poor % Farmers Poorest
Low Richness ( 1-4) 23.1 22.1 26.6
Medium Richness (5-9) 9.5 12.6 5.5
Medium High Richness (10-14) 0.0 1.0 1.0
High Richness (14-18) 1.0 0.0 0.0
Pearson Chi-Square Test show that between the not so poor there are signifi cant difference among districts and the Richness index at 10%
Pearson Chi-Square Test show that between the poorest there are signifi cant difference among districts and the Richness index at 5%
Table 3. Distribution of evenness according to poverty group
Simpson Index % Farmers Not So Poor % Farmers Poor % Farmers Poorest
Low Diversity (0-0.33) 23.6 21.1 26.6
Medium Diversity (0.34-0.66) 9.0 12.1 5.5
High Diversity (0.67-1) 1.0 0.0 1.0
Pearson Chi- Square Test show that between the poorest there are signifi cant difference among districts and the Simpson index at 10%
particular variety or a combination of varieties is at the core
of our assessment of the patterns of use of intra-specifi c
diversity. Farmers that cultivated multiple pearl millet
varieties were asked about the reasons for cultivating
several varieties concurrently. Table 4 summarizes these
fi ndings with higher yields being the most common
response, followed by each has different use, and then
by cultural preferences.
Table 4. Pearl millet farmers’ reasons for growing multiple varieties
simultaneously
Rationale Number of Farmers
minimize risk 6
higher yields 63
each has different use 26
Experimentation 11
each is adapted to different conditions 6
fi ts into crop cycle 6
cultural preferences 17
The farmers’ responses underscore the importance
of diversity as a mechanism for not only meeting the
multiple needs of farmers, but also for increasing
agricultural production. While there was some overlap to
the responses, farmers recognized that each variety reacts
differently season to season depending on environmental
conditions and, therefore, planting more varieties assures
that yields will be stabilized and maximized in comparison
to growing a single variety. Nevertheless, it cannot be
concluded on this evidence alone that all farmers react
in similar ways based on shared knowledge. For that
reason, in order to more fully understand the determinants
of varietal diversity, we performed a regression analysis
with some of the more compelling variables as per our
understanding and the knowledge gained through the
work of the previously cited authors (Abay et al., 2009;
Indian J. Plant Genet. Resour. 25(1): 85–96 (2012)
Almekinders et al., 1994; Nagarajan and Smale, 2005;
Nagarajan et al., 2005; Joshi and Bauer, 2006; Benin
et al., 2003; Van Dusen and Taylor, 2005; Rana et al.,
2007).
Determinants of Intra-specifi c Diversity within
Pearl Millet in the Monsoon Season through
Linear Regression
A multivariate linear regression analysis is presented
subsequently using household species richness and
evenness (Simpson index) as dependant variables to aid
in the understanding of the determinants of on farm crop
diversity in pearl millet (Table 5). The interpretation of
these results will inform decisions with regards to the
most effective ways to enhance and encourage the use
of diversity by farmers. The regression analysis shows
a strongly significant relationship between many of
the variables of our poverty index (land irrigated, land
owned, livestock, and total income from agricultural
production) and both simple household species richness
and the Simpson index. The strength of this relationship
indicates that the wealthier a farmer is, the more varieties
he will grow during the main pearl millet cultivation
season. We disaggregated the poverty index in order
to understand how each of its components infl uence
diversity; however, other models we constructed which
incorporated the poverty index as an independent variable
of diversity showed strong and signifi cant relationships.
As these more wealthy farmers transition to growing more
hybrid varieties they are also diversifying the varieties
they grow. In many cases they recognize the importance
of growing multiple varieties in order to increase yields
although they also are motivated to diversify for many
other reasons (Table 4).
Additionally, according to our model several factors