Are Farmers Willing to Pay for Drought Tolerant Rice? Evidence From Bihar and Other Policy Research Priorities for Cereal Farming Systems in South Asia

The initiative spans across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, covering regions in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The project focuses on the Punjab of India and partly Pakistan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, northern Bangladesh, and southern Bangladesh, which is the Feed the Future zone. CSISA's overarching goal is to address the challenges of cereal farming systems in South Asia, including low productivity, limited access to markets, and inadequate use of technology. The initiative seeks to promote sustainable intensification through a comprehensive approach that integrates breeding, agronomy, policy research, and private sector engagement. This approach aims to make cereal farming systems more productive, resilient, and sustainable. The CSISA project has been instrumental in developing and promoting new technologies, including drought-tolerant rice, hybrid rice, and antibiotic stress-tolerant rice. These technologies have the potential to improve crop yields, reduce the risk of crop failure, and increase farmers' income. However, the adoption of these technologies depends on various factors, including farmers' willingness to pay for them. Research conducted under CSISA has shown that farmers in South Asia are willing to pay for certain technologies, such as drought-tolerant rice. A study conducted in Bihar found that farmers were willing to pay a premium for drought-tolerant rice, indicating that they value the benefits of this technology. The study also found that farmers' willingness to pay for drought-tolerant rice was influenced by factors such as their income level, education level, and access to markets. The CSISA project has also identified policy opportunities to promote the adoption of new technologies. For example, governments can provide incentives to farmers to adopt drought-tolerant rice, such as subsidies for seed and fertilizer. Additionally, governments can create an enabling environment for private sector engagement, such as by providing support for research and development of new technologies. The adoption of new technologies, such as drought-tolerant rice, can have significant impacts on farmers' income and food security. A study conducted in Bihar found that the adoption of drought-tolerant rice led to a 27% increase in household income among farmers who adopted the technology. The study also found that the adoption of drought-tolerant rice improved food security indicators, including the availability of food and the diversity of food consumed. Overall, the CSISA project has made significant contributions to the development and promotion of new technologies, including drought-tolerant rice. The project's research has shown that farmers in South Asia are willing to pay for certain technologies, and that policy interventions can promote the adoption of these technologies. The adoption of new technologies has the potential to improve farmers' income and food security, and to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).