ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS ON WELL-BEING OF RICE FARMERS IN KERALA

The present study entitled “Implications of Geographical Indications for rice in Kerala” was conducted in Palakkadan Matta, Navara, Jeerakasala, Gandhakasala, Pokkali and Kaipad tracts of Kerala. The objectives of the study were to assess the impact of GI rice on income and welfare of the producer households. The rice GIs of Kerala viz., Navara, Pokkali, Jeerakasala, Gandhakasala, Palakkadan Matta and Kaipad were selected for the study. From each of the six categories, fifty farmers each were randomly selected making a total sample of 300 farmers. In addition, information were also collected from market intermediaries (traders, retailers, wholesalers and processors) and producer societies in each GI tract. The impact of GI on income and welfare of producer households was measured using the method of treatment effect analysis. The average treatment effect were worked out for the outcome variables yield per hectare, net income, marketed income, and marketed surplus. Palakkadan Matta recorded the highest yield among these categories but net income, marketed income and marketed surplus was comparatively less. Even though the yield of Navara was comparatively lesser than that of Palakkadan Matta, Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala, the net income, marketed income and Marketed surplus was higher for Navara. Though Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala were scented varieties and cultivated under same conditions, the yield per hectare was higher for Jeerakasala when compared to Gandhakasala while the net income, marketed income and marketed surplus was higher for Gandhakasala. The marketed surplus of Pokkali is comparatively higher than Kaipad even though the yield, net income and marketed income was comparatively very less despite their similarities in cultivation. Taking advantage of the GI status, efforts are to be made for marketing GI products as a premium priced branded produce. An effective institutional arrangement to control production and marketing of GI rice should be mooted up so that production and marketing strategies can be effectively formulated and implemented.