Technology Change in Hybrid Tomato Production: A Field Based Study

Abstract

The study was conducted for analyzing impact of technology change in hybrid tomato production, comparing with inputs, or improving productivity. While measuring the sources of output growth, the contribution of total productivity is always estimated as residual after accounting for the growth of the inputs. The results revealed that the contribution of technology to the differential output was higher in the case of Arka Vishall (14.52%) compared to Arka Vikas (11.71%) and Arka Vardan (-4.58%). This output differential was decomposed into changes in technology and changes in input levels. First, the contribution of technology (Hybrid) in total change in output was estimated to be 3.82 %. Second, the concerned input level effects, the positive contributions of labour (7.18 %), farmyard manure (0.039%), irrigation (0.78%), and other costs (2.24%) to total change in output were observed. The negative contributions were found in the case of seedlings (-0.78%), fertilizers (-0.29%), and plant protection chemicals (-1.5%). The total input level effect on output change was estimated to be 8.10%. Third, the estimated change in output (11.92%) was almost equal to the actual change of 11.71%. Therefore, there is a need for appropriate policy interventions and efforts by the concerned to address these constraints in adopting new tomato hybrids and to make tomato cultivation a viable and profitable enterprise.