Gene Campaign conducted a study in selected villages in Jharkhand to understand how farm economics are being affected by the introduction of hybrid rice. Rice is the principal, and for most parts of this rain fed area, the only crop taken by farmers. Their food security is heavily dependent on this crop. Along with Orissa, this region falls within what is considered the Primary Center of Origin of rice.  

Traditional varieties of rice , which were cultivated till not so long ago, were impacted to some extent by the Green Revolution but not to the extent that other regions were , where traditional varieties were lost to a large extent. Here, the aggressive promotion of hybrid years in the last 3 to 4 years has resulted in a different seed dynamic and availability. The study assessed the views of farmers and seed dealers regarding hybrid rice. 

Most farmers felt that the use of hybrid rice was deleterious for soil health in the long run. Almost twenty percent were of the view that the damage to the soil would be permanent. Despite this many farmers opt for hybrid rice because of the promise of high yield. It’s like playing the lottery. Even though you realise that chances of failure are high, you keep hoping that the one big win will make you rich. Farmers hope that the promised high yield will bring more food for their families and they take into account long term damage since the need for food is immediate.

Almost all farmers (98%) reported the loss of supplementary food sources like fish. Fish in the paddy field has been a traditional protein bonus for rice farmers, across Asia. With the use of hybrid rice and the chemical inputs needed for its cultivation, the protein bonus coming from fish, as well as crabs and snails in the fields has either diminished drastically or disappeared altogether.

Although hybrid rice companies claim their seed gives bumper yield, according to dealers, the yield difference between hybrid and traditional varieties is more modest. Traditional varieties according to them would yield 1.2-1.6 qt. /ha and hybrid seed would yield from 2.0-2.4 qt/ha. Most dealers are not really aware about high yielding varieties (HYV).