Adoption Pattern of Mechanization of Paddy Farms in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Farm mechanization is a crucial component of contemporary agriculture. Along with lowering labour costs and human drudgery, it increases productivity. Mechanization enhances the safety and comfort of agricultural workers, the efficiency with which other inputs are used, and the quality and added value of the produce. The present study assesses the adoption pattern of farm mechanization at farm level among 120 sample paddy farmers of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Adoption index was applied for selected sample respondents to study their adoption of machinery at different operations performed during paddy production. The overall adoption index score was 45.78. Complete adoption of mechanization was found in plant protection operation, tillage operations have average adoption index of 77.19. There was no mechanization observed in inter cultural operations and mechanization in sowing, transplanting and harvesting was observed mainly in large farms.