Knowledge and Adoption Status of Recommended Practices of Rice by Farmers in Mizoram, India

Abstract

A study was conducted to fi nd out the knowledge and adoption level of rice growers in Mizoram, India on improved cultivation of rice. A structured interview schedule was developed for data collection. A total of 120 rice growers were taken as respondents from 12 villages of 3 selected blocks of the 3 districts, namely- Champhai District, Kolasib District and Serchhip. The overall mean for the knowledge index was 61.54, while the mean for the adoption index was 53.83. With respect to the overall knowledge level, 74.17 per cent of the respondents were in the medium category, whereas the overall adoption level, 71.67 per cent of the respondents, were in the medium category. The correlation values between sex, marital status, family size, training exposure, attitude versus knowledge index were established statistically signifi cant relationship at 5 %. The correlation values between education, extension contact versus knowledge index were established statistically signifi cant relationship at 1%. The correlations between income from paddy, experience versus adoption index were established statistically signifi cant relationship at 5 %. The correlation between education versus adoption index was established signifi cant relationship at 1%. It was found that the paddy growers of the study area were aware of certain improved practices of rice cultivation to some extent, but they were not making the best use of it. The government should focus on awareness and adoption of improved practices for better production of rice to achieve state-level food security.