In an endeavor to promote agricultural innovation, the Government of India introduced two pieces of legislation: (i) the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001, which provide for the registration of traditional crop varieties as farmers' varieties, and for the sharing of benefits when those varieties are incorporated into new commercial varieties; and (ii) the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999, which provides for the registration of indications to promote the marketing of goods which derive their quality and characteristics from their geographical origin. This article tests the effectiveness of this legislation in promoting agricultural innovation, reporting on a survey of 401 farmers of traditional rice varieties in Kerala, South West India. The study revealed that farmers were either unaware of the legislation, or unaware of its functions. They have not been much involved in the registration of farmers' varieties and have not made any benefit-sharing claims in relation to the varieties which have been registered. They have tended to confuse the registration of geographical indications with the registration of farmers' varieties. This suggests, as a first step, the necessity for awareness raising about the purposes of both pieces of legislation with Indian farmers.

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Traditional rice cultivars and cultivation are on the decline in most rice-growing areas, mainly as a result of their low productivity. Packed with nutritionally, environmentally and locally superior qualities, traditional cultivars hold the key for sustainability in rice cultivation. This study explored the dynamics of traditional rice cultivation in Kerala, India. It examined the economic, institutional and socio demographic factors involved in the production and marketing of traditional rice. We employed a multinomial logit model and discriminant function analysis to extract the key factors governing farmers’ marketing behaviour, and various cost measures to study the economics of rice enterprises. The socio-demographic factors were analysed using descriptive statistical tools. Holding size and institutional support were the main factors governing the marketing behaviour of farmers. Even though traditional rice farming was not found to be cost-effective in implicit terms, it was remunerative when imputed personal labour and owned land costs were not considered. The study found that traditional farmers are ageing, have a lower education and use limited marketing channels. However, the majority of them were satisfied with their farm enterprise. By streamlining the market support mechanism and processing facilities, traditional rice would most likely gain momentum in key areas.

The study was conducted to analyze the impact of market-led extension in the marketing pattern and empowerment of smallholder farmers of India. Since market-led extension activities mostly implemented through self help groups (SHGs) 60 marginal vegetable farmers with SHG membership and another 60 marginal vegetable farmers with no SHG membership selected as the respondents. Results conveyed that SHG farmers marketed vegetables mainly through farmers' markets. But, majority of the non-SHG farmers sold vegetables through commission agents. Empowerment analysis done using the criteria of ≥75% of maximum attainable score showed significant differences between the empowerment status of SHG and non-SHG farmers. About 62% of SHG farmers found empowered because of their participation in SHGs whereas very few (2%) of the non-SHG farmers showed empowerment. It was also found that social recognition is the prime variable influenced the empowerment of SHG farmers followed by income generation. Though only a few non-SHG farmers showed empowerment again social recognition identified as the major variable contributed to their empowerment score followed by innovativeness. Since social recognition played prime role in the empowerment process of both SHG and non-SHG farmers it could be considered as the precursor of empowerment process. It is evident from the study that in order to convert social recognition to empowerment a reasonable level of income generation is also necessary. To extend the benefits of market-led extension to more rural farmers the technology dissemination system should also be improved by incorporating those grass root level organizations (public/private) working among them. Reforms in the extension system are common worldwide phenomenon and many countries including India are on the way of reorienting its agricultural extension service system (Planning Commission, 2007; World Bank, 2012

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