Hybridseeds are chosen to improve the characteristics of the resulting plants, such as better yield, greater uniformity, improved color, disease resistance.The farmers have started to realize the significance of hybrids for assured yields and higher profits. Increased availability and adoption of improved hybrids have supported the farmer community with the awe-inspiring results. In the past few years, there has been an increasing trend in the adoption of hybrids in an orderly fashion; tomatoes by 40 percent, brinjal by 82 percent, cabbage by 68.6 percent and Okra by 10 percent.
The enhanced productivity backed by the hybrid technology has increased profitability for the farmers.The Governments have been keenly involved in helping the smallholder farmers with appropriate policy reforms and subsidies to promote hybrid seeds for the welfare of the consumer and the farmers.
Climate-resilient crops helps farmers to prevent switching of crops or face any loss in case of adverse climatic situations. The improved seed varieties promise climate-resilient, high-yielding crop produce that can withstand several biotic and abiotic pressures. Integration of new hybrids which are also high yielding is challenging as much as it is helpful for the farmers. Thus, appropriate training, support and knowledge can help them reap the benefits of hybrids in agriculture.
Hybrid maize variety SAWA, developed to withstand droughts is proven to give better output, it is better than its traditional counterparts and results in a bigger crop. It also has fewer diseases including northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot, maize streak virus, and maize lethal necrosis.
New hybrid breeding techniques allow greater genetic diversity which can be introduced into varieties which results in producing desirable agronomic characteristics. Benefits of hybrids are many, such as yield advantage, increased oil content, wider sowing window, requires low seed rates to get the best performance, well developed root structure which is beneficial during droughts etc
Apart from all the benefits ranging from drought resilience to fighting climate adversities or even maintaining strong performance in many environmental stresses, the same needs to remain available abundantly to all farmers whether big or small. In most cases, farmers have limited information, or they are unaware of the places from where they can get hybrid seeds. Therefore, it is critical to understand that the farmers should have access to quality seeds from trusted suppliers. A timely supply of the hybrids will allow timely sowing of seeds and desired yield as per the promise of the hybrid technology.
