Socioeconomic impact of improved variety of Chinese potato in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The socioeconomic impact was based on a farm household survey conducted in Tenkasi and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu among 200 Chinese potato producers during 2021/2022. A logistic regression model was employed to identify factors determining the adoption of ‘SreeDhara’, and the Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA) method was used to assess the impact of the adoption of ‘SreeDhara’ on yield and income. The cost of cultivation, gross income, and net income for ‘SreeDhara’ adopters were 7, 37, and 87% higher than for non-adopters. Years of schooling, farm income, access to extension services, and block dummies had significant, positive effects on adopting the variety. The IPWRA results indicated yield and income of ‘SreeDhara’ adopters were higher than non-adopters by 23.65 and 24.99 %, respectively. The most significant constraints to adopting Chinese potatoes were lack of awareness about ‘SreeDhara,’ inaccessibility to credit, and the non-availability of crop insurance. Thus, recognizing its higher nutritional value and potential farm income, institutional support in the form of better extension linkages, credit facilities, and crop insurance to Chinese potato growers needs to be strengthened.