Analyzing the Adoption of Technology, Yield Gaps, and Profitability of Major Foodgrain Crops in West Bengal

Abstract

Abstract This study was conducted in West Bengal to find out the level of technology adoption, to estimate the yield gaps in major foodgrain crops, and to identify the determinants of the yield gaps and profitability of major foodgrain crops among different categories of farmers. For the technology adoption level, a technology adoption index was constructed by taking relevant parameters. It was observed that the level of modern farm technology adoption was not encouraging in the study area, and it was positively correlated with the size of the land holding. Rice emerged as the main foodgrain crop in the area. The overall average technology adoption index for rabi rice (64.66%) was higher than that for kharif rice (56.16%). Overall technology adoption indices were 56.03%, 36%, and 37.21% for wheat, chickpea, and lentil, respectively. The level of technology adoption varied not only among the major foodgrain crops, but also among different categories of farmers. Yield gap-I and yield gap-II were estimated for major foodgrain crops across the different categories of farmers. Determinants of yield gaps were identified by correlation and regression analysis. Yield gap-II was higher than yield gap-I for foodgrain crops except chickpea. It achieved a maximum of about 46% of average on-farm trial yield in the case of wheat and a minimum of about 18% in the case of rabi rice. A significant variation was noticed in the case of yield gap-II among different categories of farmers. “Technology adoption,” “source of seed,” “institutional credit,” and “meetings with Agriculture Development Officer (ADO)/Krishi Prajukti Sahayak (KPS) per year” were found to be the main determinants of yield gap for most of the foodgrain crops studied. The cost of cultivation and returns of all major foodgrain crops as well as for different categories of farmers were estimated using Commission of Agricultural Cost and Price concepts. Large farmers received the highest net returns from all major foodgrain crops except rabi rice, for which medium farmers achieved the highest net returns. Rabi rice cultivation was found to be the most profitable of the major foodgrain crops. Major policy implications emerged from the study as follows: Farmers need education about the full package of practices to encourage them to adopt these (1) usage of fertilizers, irrigation, and mechanization needs to be enhanced. (2) More interaction between farmers and ADO/KPS is required to enhance the production of kharif rice and pulse crops. (3) An efficient input delivery system is urgently needed for the area. (4) High labor costs can be reduced by more mechanized farming. (5) The government should install some irrigation sources like deep tube wells to distribute irrigation water at a reasonable price.