Adoption Of Production Technologies Research Articles

Impact of environmental regulation perception on farmers' agricultural green production technology adoption: A new perspective of social capital

At present, how to promote agricultural green production technology (AGPT) to achieve agricultural green production is one of the hot issues discussed by various countries and academia. From the perspective of farmers' environmental regulation perception and social capital, there is still a lack of research on the farmers' AGPT adoption behavior. Therefore, based on the survey data of kiwifruit growers in Mei and Zhouzhi counties of Shaanxi Province, China, this study applies Poisson model to empirically analyze the impact of farmers' environmental regulation perception and social capital and interaction on their AGPT adoption behavior and further reveals the intergenerational differences in AGPT adoption behavior between the new and old generation farmers. After dealing with endogenous problems, the conclusion is still robust. The study found that farmers' AGPT adoption rate was 71.7%, but the degree of AGPT adoption was only 1.46, and most of AGPT had not been popularized. Secondly, farmers' environmental regulation perception and social capital can significantly promote their AGPT adoption, and the promotion of incentive environmental regulation perception and disembedded social capital is more obvious. Thirdly, environmental regulation perception and social capital have interactive effect on farmers' AGPT adoption. At the same time, social capital can strengthen environmental regulation perception on farmers' AGPT adoption. Finally, the intergenerational difference analysis shows that old generation of farmers' AGPT adoption is generally affected by environmental perception regulation and social capital, while new generation of farmers is mainly affected by guiding environmental regulation perception. Based on the above conclusions, we provide policy suggestions for promoting farmers to adopt AGPT.

Strategi Pengembangan Komoditas Sagu di Kabupaten Konawe

Sago (Metroxylon sp.) is a tropical wet palm plant, which has a strong adaptation to grow on marginal lands. Sago is one of the potential food commodities as a source of carbohydrates owned by Indonesia. The objectives of this study were: identify the factors that are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of sago commodity development; and determine the strategy for sago commodity development. This research was conducted in the Districts of Bondoala, Besulutu, Sampara and Kapoiala, Konawe Regency. The respondents of this study were the relevant government agencies staf in Konawe Regency and in Southeast Sulawesi Province, researchers from the Southeast Sulawesi AIAT and Development Agency and lecturers at the UHO Faculty of Agriculture, and collectors and inter-island traders. The analytical method used is SWOT-AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) analysis. The results of the study revealed that the strategy for developing sago commodities, which had the highest priority value or the most important ones, were the development of human resources for sago farmers and small and medium industries (IKM); strengthening coordination and synchronization of policies between institutions in the development of sago; policy on the expansion and protection of sago land; optimization of market share; diversification of sago products; increasing the competitiveness of processed sago products through the adoption of production technology; modernization of equipment and processing of sago to strengthen added value; and forming partnerships both market and capital.Keywords: development strategy; SWOT-AHP; sago

Adoption level of integrated crop management practices among rice farmers: Does the adoption of production technology predict postharvest technology adoption

SAMARICA is the second district of Occidental Mindoro province in the Philippines having a vast land area for rice production. It supports the rice milling sector of the province with promising facilities for postharvest of rice. This study investigates the rice farmers’ adoption level of integrated crop management practices (ICMPs). The adoption ICMPs aims to promotes farm productivity and efficiency. A total of 404 rice farmers participated in this study selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Quantitative data were generated from the survey questionnaire and were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the relationship between production and postharvest practices. The results revealed that rice farmers have “very high” adoption of rice production technologies except for water technologies and intermittent irrigation with “high” adoption level. In terms of postharvest, there is “very high” adoption of mechanized harvesting and recommended moisture content for rice but “moderate” adoption for rice parboiler, dying machines, and threshing of rice right after harvest. On the other hand, a statistically significant evidence was found for production technologies as predictor of postharvest technologies, specific for the care and management of rice (β =0.55; P<0.01).

Improved barley production technology adoption by the farmers of Jaipur

Improved barley production technology adoption by the farmers of Jaipur

Does Internet use promote the adoption of agricultural technology? Evidence from 1 449 farm households in 14 Chinese provinces

China is characterized as ‘a large country with many smallholder farmers’ whose participation in modern agriculture is key to the country's modern agriculture development. Promoting smallholder farmers’ adoption of modern agricultural production technology is one effective way to improve the capabilities of smallholder farmers. This paper aims to explore the impact of Internet use on the adoption of agricultural production technology by smallholder farmers based on a survey of 1 449 smallholders across 14 provinces in China. The results suggest that Internet use can significantly promote technology adoption, with the probability of adopting new crop varieties, water-saving irrigation technology and straw-returning technology increasing by 0.200, 0.157 and 0.155, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of Internet use is found to be heterogeneous with a greater effect on smallholder farmers having low education levels, limited training, and high incomes. To increase agricultural production technology adoption by smallholders, rural Internet infrastructure and Internet use promotion should be the focus for the Chinese government.

Empirical review on determinants of potato and onion production technology packages adoption in Ethiopia

Vegetable production technology packages adoption is essential for intensifying its productivity thereby improve the income of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Analog to vegetable, production adoption of Potato and onion also play a great role in improving the daily livelihood of farmers. However, there are few studies on its technology adoption to encourage farmers to substitute their production methods by modern production techniques and maximize return from the sector. The objective of this review paper is to review determinant factors of vegetable technology package adoption in Ethiopia by using the finding of popular published empirical researches. The findings of the review identified that, adoption of potato and onion technologies in Ethiopia is low due to different constraints caused by demographic factors, socio-economic factors, institutional factors and technological factors. Similarly, different empirical researches which are reviewed by this 0review paper identified different types of potato and onion production technology packages like improved seed varieties, fertilizers, quality seed, irrigation services, crop protection methods, and storing house.As a result of the above combinations of vegetable production technology adoption factors, the expected outcome to be obtained from the sector is still poorly performed. By considering the importance of these potato and onion production technology packages, applying and implementing the procedures of adoption bring the decision to adopt technologies and improve the extent of it thereby sustain potato and onion production in Ethiopia.

Adoption of garden coffee production technology package by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia

This study investigated the level and determinants of garden coffee production technology package adoption in Ethiopia. The analysis was based on survey data collected from 293 garden coffee-growing households. The findings show that garden coffee production technology package adoption status in Dale districts was various across the smallholders’ growers. The productivity of improved coffee varieties at farm plots was less than at research plots in Dale due to low coffee production technology package adoption. The use of improved coffee varieties, weed control practices, compost application, pruning practices, shade tree management, intercropping practices, and coffee seedling planting spacingisthe main garden coffee production technology package practiced by smallholder coffee growersinDale. Thus, the garden coffee production technology package adoption index score ranged from 0.43 to 1.00. Adoption index scores were categorized into high (0.71 to 1), medium (0.5 to 0.7) and Low (0.43 to 0.49) adopters. Only 57% of farmers reached high coffee production technology adoption status but the remaining30% and 13% of garden coffee farmers attained medium and low adoption status. The mean adoption index score was found to be 0.66, which implies the overall adoption status was found under the medium technology adoption category. The maximum likelihood estimates of Tobit model result shows that gender of household head (-0.261), education level (0.09),the annual income of the household (0.003), farm size (0.031), availability of labor (0.155), credit facilities (0.087), coffee extension services (0.047) and farmer perception of improved coffee varieties (-0.024) were significant determinants of garden coffee production technology package in Dale district. Hence, for farmers to adopt new technology they must know it well. Adopting all components of the coffee production technology package simultaneously as recommended by the research center enhances coffee productivity at farm plots level. Moreover, building better coffee production extension services, institutional arrangement, and access to new technology information can possibly increase coffee production technology package adoption in Ethiopia.

Bridging the gender gap in empowerment of rural households: is technology the solution?

ABSTRACT Using a multidimensional measure of empowerment that focuses on individual capabilities, the study assesses the role of technology in bridging empowerment gap between male and female decision-makers in the same households. The study found women’s empowerment to be correlated with adoption of production technologies. However, adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is associated with a widening empowerment gap. This is attributable to poor women's capabilities, ownership of, and control of decision-making on technologies. The study recommends that ICT interventions should be introduced in a way that mutually reinforces equitable decision-making between women and men in rural households.

Impact assessment of adoption of production technology on productivity of cotton in Dhule district of Maharashtra

Impact assessment of adoption of production technology on productivity of cotton in Dhule district of Maharashtra

Constraints Faced by Guava Growers in Adoption of Guava Production Technology and Suggestions for Suitable Extension Strategies to Overcome the Problem in Bijnor District of UP

Guava grown in diverse agro-climatic conditions faces differential biotic and abiotic stress that limiting the production and productivity of guava and consequently, influenced the economic condition of its growers. Keeping these facts in mind, the present study was conducted in Bijnor district of UP to find out the constraints faced by guava growers in adoption of production technology and suggest suitable extension strategies to overcome the problems. Two villages from 11 blocks were selected randomly on the basis of orchard availability. Five guava Growers was selected from each selected village. Thus, the total sample size for the investigation was 110 respondents who faced constraints in adoption of guava production technology. The guava respondents faced the constraints in adoption of guava production technology. Total constraints mainly divided into five groups. Among the input constraints, unavailability of quality chemicals like plant growth regulator, water soluble fertilizer and plant protection chemicals at government sale centre got first rank with 77.27 percent respondent, followed by unavailability of quality sapling of guava at Government nursery (73.64 percent). Among the technological constraints, lack of knowledge about organic farming of guava got first rank with 91.82 percent respondents followed by lack of knowledge about drip irrigation schedules (89.09 percent). Among the socio- psychological constraints, lack of coordination among the beneficiary and state/district horticulture department got the first rank with 92.73 percent respondents followed by inadequate extension activities conducted by state/district horticulture department (88.18 percent). Among the marketing constraints, exploitation of guava growers by middlemen got first rank with 92.73 percent respondents followed by lack of quality storage facility (87.27 percent). Among the financial constraints, lack of government funding of loan and granting of subsidies got first rank with 94.55 percent followed by high labour charges (92.73 percent). Lack of knowledge about organic farming of guava was identified as major constraints in qualitative guava production. It is therefore suggested the extension workers should organize guava growers in different groups of organic farming. They should plan knowledgeable programmes for the respondents so they can be motivated to what the organic farming of guava and can increase their knowledge about quality guava production practices through extension work like group discussion, training, demonstrations, exhibition, etc. The growers therefore are required to be educated to follow up all the recommended production practices for guava, use of timely inputs, nutrients and plant protection management practices which will help in increasing the production and productivity.

The Impact of Rice Production Technology Adoption in Fogera Woreda, South Gondar, Ethiopia

This study was designed to assess the impact of adoption of rice production technology on households’ rice production in Fogera Woreda using cross sectional data obtained from 191 rice farmers selected from four kebeles to represent major rice producers. The study used propensity score matching to assess impact of adoption of rice production technology on household production levels. The result showed adoption of rice production technology has a robust and positive effect on farmers’ rice production in quintal per hectare. The average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) was about 9.48 quintal yield per-hectare increase for adopters as compared to non-adopters. The result of sensitivity analysis also shows average treatment effect on treated is not sensitive to external change. Keywords: Rice, Technology, Adoption, Impact, Production, Propensities Score Matching. DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/11-4-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2020

Historical, Current, and Future Perspectives for Controlled Environment Hydroponic Food Crop Production in the United States

Controlled environment (CE) food crop production has existed in the United States for many years, but recent improvements in technology and increasing production warranted a closer examination of the industry. Therefore, our objectives were to characterize historical trends in CE production, understand the current state of the U.S. hydroponics industry, and use historical and current trends to inform future perspectives. In the 1800s, CE food production emerged and increased in popularity until 1929. After 1929, when adjusted for inflation (AFI), CE food production stagnated and decreased until 1988. From 1988 to 2014, the wholesale value of CE food production increased from $64.2 million to $796.7 million AFI. With the recent increase in demand for locally grown food spurring an increase in CE production, both growers and researchers have been interested in using hydroponic CE technologies to improve production and quality. Therefore, we surveyed U.S. hydroponic food crop producers to identify current hydroponic production technology adoption and potential areas for research needs. Producers cited a wide range of technology utilization; more than half employed solely hydroponic production techniques, 56% monitored light intensity, and more than 80% monitored air temperature and nutrient solution pH and electrical conductivity. Additionally, the growing environments varied from greenhouses (64%), indoors in multilayer (31%) or single-layer (7%) facilities, to hoop houses or high tunnels (29%). Overall, producers reported managing the growing environment to improve crop flavor and the development of production strategies as the most beneficial research areas, with 90% stating their customers would pay more for crops with increased flavor. Lastly, taking historical data and current practices into account, perspectives on future hydroponic CE production are discussed. These include the importance of research on multiple environmental parameters instead of single parameters in isolation and the emphasis on not only increasing productivity but improving crop quality including flavor, sensory attributes, and postharvest longevity.

Technology adoption by indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers

ABSTRACT The adoption of improved agricultural production technologies can be an appropriate approach in meeting the demand for vegetables. Indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers were selected for comparison because they are perceived to differ in scale and purpose of production, and resistance to field conditions which could lead to differences in the adoption of production technologies. Primary data from 200 indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers each used to assess differences in technologies adopted by the groups, and drivers of the number and types of technologies adopted. There were differences in the type and number of technologies adopted by indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers. Exotic vegetable farmers adopted more technologies than indigenous vegetable farmers. Primary determinants of number and type of technologies adopted are nativity, type of vegetable produced, farm size, production for local market or export, and Farmer Based Organization (FBO) membership. There were differences in the influence of these factors on technology adoption between indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers. Joining and retaining membership in FBOs, and visiting demonstration fields could improve technology adoption. Indigenous vegetable crop producers were influenced by more factors affecting adoption than exotic vegetable producers. The former faced more challenges likely based on the economy of scale and access to export markets. The latter were hindered by access to credit. Both would benefit from access to information in making decisions about technology adoption.

Effect of Integrated Crop Management Practices on Yield and Economics of Brinjal in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh

The studies were conducted on impact of frontline demonstrations in adoption of production technology and economics of brinjal at farmers’ field of Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh state during the year 2017–18 to 2019–20. Prevailing farmer's practices were treated as control for comparison with demonstrated technology. The main objective was to demonstrate newly released crop production and protection technologies at the farmer's field under different agro-climatic regions and farming situations. The extension gap ranged between 74.94 to 111.21 q/ha, whereas the trend of technology gap ranged between 203.74 to 220.34 q/ha. The benefit cost ratio (B:C) was recorded higher i.e. 2.35 to 2.77 under demonstrated practice, while it was 1.95 to 2.17 under check practice. Besides this, the demonstrated plots gave higher gross return, net return with higher benefit cost ratio when compared to farmer's practice. The results clearly showed the positive impact of front line demonstrations over farmers practice towards increasing the productivity of brinjal in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. On an average 34.11 per cent yield increase was observed in demo plots over farmers’ practice. Demonstrated technologies proved more remunerative and economically feasible to the brinjal growers than their conventional methods.

Effects of recommended improved crop technologies and socio-economic factors on coffee profitability among smallholder farmers in Embu County, Kenya

This study was carried out to determine the combined effects of recommended production technologies and farmer characteristics on coffee profitability at the farm level in Embu County, Kenya, using the profit function approach. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaires from a sample of 376 farmers who were randomly selected from six cooperative societies, using multistage stratified and probability proportional to size sampling techniques. Primary data on level of adoption of production technologies, level of usage of farm inputs, factor prices, coffee output and farmer demographics were collected. The data were entered in Excel sheets for initial analysis and tabulation then coded for primary analysis of the combined effect using the Profit function model. The results revealed that adoption of the recommended coffee varieties and rate of manure application were positive and significant in affecting coffee profitability at 5% level of significance. However, capping of coffee stems (bearing heads) had a significant negative effect on coffee profitability. Other factors that were found to have a significant negative influence on coffee profitability were the price of manure and foliar fertilizer. Surprisingly, increasing the wage rate had a significant positive influence on coffee profitability. These results portrayed that there is potential of increasing coffee profitability in the study area through adoption of the improved coffee varieties and recommended rates of manure as well as stabilizing factor prices of key inputs. In addition, paying a higher wage rate would act as an incentive and motivation for increased productivity hence increased coffee net returns. Key words: Input, coffee variety, manure rate, capping, marginal product, marginal value product, Profit function.

The nexus between adoption and diffusion of production technologies with yield: Evidence from sweet potato farmers in India

• 46% sweet potato farmers in India did not adopt the production technologies. • Adoption quotient of farmers and yield strongly correlated. • 78% of sweet potato area in the country cultivated with high yielding varieties. • Farm and farmer characteristics influenced production technology adoption.

Adoption of improved production practices in low land rice through community training

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production technology adoption requires effective farmers’ training for narrowing knowledge gap. This paper assesses the result of community training on the extent of adoption of improved rice production practices in low land rice of south western Bangladesh. A total of 531 farmers were trained through community training approach and 177 farmers were randomly selected for data collection. The extent of adoption of improved rice production practices and reasons for nonadopting technologies were solicited by personal interview with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential techniques. The community training was suited to adopt rice production technologies. The adoption of different rice production technologies was greater by the adopters of Satkhira district compared to Khulna that resulted in significant rice yield difference. The constraints against the adoption of the selected rice production technologies show that a portion of adopters was not convinced to adopt row transplanting, skipped row planting and birds perch for controlling insects, use of appropriate K and S fertilizers due to requirement of higher labour and fertilizer and risk of reduction of rice yield. The integration of other extension methods such as method and result demonstration might enhance the rate of adoption of those rice production technologies.
 SAARC J. Agri., 17(1): 1-11 (2019)

Impact of Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) on Oilseed Crops in South Konkan Coastal Zone of Maharashtra

Frontline demonstration is the long-term educational activity conducted by agricultural scientists in a systematic manner on farmers’ field to show the worth of new practice/technology under the micro-farming situation. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ratnagiri had conducted the frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on oilseeds during 2011 to 2016. The KVK had organized 93 FLDs on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in two villages viz., Asage and Gawane and 26 FLDs on Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) in Gawane village from Lanja Block of Ratnagiri district. Therefore, the aim of present study was to determine the impact of frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on yield, adoption, varietal replacement of oilseed crops and its horizontal spread in Konkan region of Maharashtra state. To get the adequate size of the sample, 119 FLDs beneficiary farmers (93 Groundnut + 26 Niger) were selected as the sample for the present study. The study was conducted in experimental designs (Before-After and Control-Treatment) of social research. The findings showed that significant increase in the average yield of demonstration plot (20.57q ha-1) over the control plot (13.75 q ha-1) of groundnut crop. Average yield of niger was 2.75 q ha-1 , which increased to 3.11 q ha-1 in demonstration year. FLDs showed a positive impact on the adoption of production technologies in groundnut and niger. The ‘Local’ and ‘SB-11’ variety of groundnut were replaced by improved varieties such as ‘Konkan Trombay Tapora’, ‘TG 26’ and ‘Konkan Gaurav’. Similarly, improved ‘IGP-76’ and ‘Phule Karala’ varieties of niger replaced the ‘Local’ low yielding varieties. The area under improved varieties increased periodically. Thus, it can be inferred that FLD is an effective extension intervention to demonstrate the production potential of improved technologies in oilseed crops on farmers’ field. Therefore, it is recommended that the extension agencies engaged in transfer and application of agricultural technologies on farmer’s field should give priority to organize frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on cluster basis for harnessing the productivity potential of oilseed crops in the country.

Farmers' income from oilseeds production in India: Trends and prospects

Oilseeds are of pivotalsignificance in the agricultural economy ofIndia supporting income ofmillions offarmers practicing mainly rainfed cultivation. Profitability of oilseeds is an important concern for enhancing domestic production in order to reduce import dependence for edible oils. The present study attempts to analyze the trends in real income from oilseed crops in selected states and discuss some of the underlying factors using secondary data from the cost of cultivation surveys for selected states during the period 2000-01 to 2014-15. Farm income from oilseeds has increased in the states with higher proportionate rise in price realized and or yield of the crop as compared to the change in cost ofinputs. Profitability of oilseeds has declined in the states with higher proportionate increase in cost of inputs as compared to the yield or decline in the real price received. The factors which affected change in income from oilseeds included change in yield realized, farmers' price and change in cost of inputs. There exists a large yield gap for oilseeds across states on account of poor adoption of production technologies and lower application of productive and protective inputs. The yield gap can be narrowed down through ensuring quality input supply at affordable prices, increase adoption of production technology and price support with effective procurement. Efforts are to be enhanced to improve water use efficiency through protective irrigation, effectiveness of extension services to enhance productivity and profitability, and in turn farmers' income.

Varietal seed technology and household income of maize farmers: An application of the doubly robust model

The study uses a sample of 962 maize-farming households to examine the effects of a varietal maize seed technology on annual household incomes of rural poor farming households in the Upper West region of Ghana. An approach that combines the regression adjustment method with weighting to estimate the treatment parameters was employed for the study. The approach is a generalization of the doubly robust estimation methods for different treatment parameters, which are defined in a multivalued treatment effect estimation framework. Doubly robust methods combine weighting and regression methods to produce consistent estimates of the treatment parameters even if one of the models is misspecified. Average gains in annual household income are estimated for the entire population, as well as conditional on having a specific varietal seed technology (i.e., pannar and/or Obatanpa). Results from the study show that the pannar varietal maize seed technology significantly increased the annual household incomes of the selected maize-farming households. Thus, the study recommends that safety net policies should generally pay more attention to the factors that allow increased maize production technology adoption by maize-farming households, since they could then build on existing pattern of increasing maize productivity whilst alleviating rural poverty.