​Impact of Improved Technology in Enhancing Productivity and Income of Paddy Farmers in Assam- An Analysis in Dibrugarh District of Assam

Abstract

Background: Paddy is a very important agricultural crop of Assam occupying 71.59 per cent of its total net cropped area. Among paddy, Sali paddy occupies 78.21 per cent of total paddy area in the state. Ranjit variety of Sali paddy developed by Assam Agricultural University found to be proven variety having yield potential of 6 ton per hectare in farmer’s field. Hence University did large scale demonstration across the state and results were encouraging. Methods: The present study was an attempt to find out the impact of improved technology in enhancing the productivity and income of paddy farmers in Assam, India. Study was conducted during the year 2021-22. Sample for the study consisted of 88 randomly selected beneficiary farmers of improved technology intervention in Sali paddy cultivation undertaken by Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat in Dibrugarh district with proven variety Ranjit. Result: The study revealed that there was increase of productivity of Sali paddy by 2 times, gross return and net return by 3.48 times and 50.37 times, respectively, due to the adoption of improved technology and Benefit-cost ratio was 2.24 with adoption and 0.95 without improved technology. Horizontal spread of technology increased by 61.54 per cent in number and 539.67 per cent in area cultivated. These implied the positive impact of technology intervention in paddy cultivation.