Post–adoption behaviour of farmers towards resource conservation technologies in Punjab

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural production under present intensive cropping system in Panjab has been possible with the introduction of resource conservation technologies (RCTs) like zero tillage, residue retention and management, laser leveller, happy seeder etc. A survey was conducted during rabi season, 2019 comprising 200 randomly selected farmers using cluster sampling design of four RCTs to understand the post adoption behaviour in terms of prospects and problems of RCTs. Though many evaluation studies were conducted in the past, but post–adoption status of RCTs has not been assessed. It was imperative to appraise the behaviour of farmers with regard to the continuance or discontinuance of the technologies adopted, problems faced and reasons for the post adoption behavioural change. It was found that majority of the farmers want to continue the use of green manuring and laser leveller. More than half of the respondents (56%) want to discontinue zero till drill as they want to shift to happy seeder technology. Less than half of the farmers (44%) want to continue happy seeder on the same area. Availability of seed of green manure crops, yield loss in happy seeder sown wheat, rodents in zero till drill sown wheat, and lack of training in all the RCTs were the major problems faced by farmers in adoption of different RCTs. The findings will be of great utility in formulating the relevant policies and programmes in more efficient way to boost the promotion and adoption of RCTs, which ultimately leads to improvement in soil health and water conservation.