Economic impact assessment of soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) resistance breeding in India: An ex-ante analysis

Soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd.) is one of the most prevalent soybean diseases particularly in Krishna basin area of Karnataka and Maharashtra, which can cause losses from 10-100%. The research conducted to estimate benefits from adoption of rust resistant soybean varieties in rust prone districts of Karnataka and Maharashtra using primary data collected from adopter and non-adopter fanners for the crop year 2017-18. Rust resistant varieties require less chemical pesticides and reduce yield loss. The study estimated potential economic benefits in terms of economic surplus for rust resistant varieties. In normal conditions, total benefits from the adoption of rust resistant soybean varieties using the economic surplus model was estimated at (sic) 198.8 crores per annum at a discount rate of 5% and 99.3 crores at 8% discount rate, respectively. Adoption of rust resistant varieties performed well over other varieties in reducing yield loss and cost of cultivation. The popularization of these varieties in rust prone areas to cope up with this biotic stress is needed.