An Insight into the Level of Technology Adoption of Farmers of Jhelum Rice Variety in Kashmir Valley

Abstract

This work is centered around the adoption level of Jhelum rice variety among the farmers in Kashmir Valley. The data collected from 120 respondents from four Jhelum growing districts (Badgam, Kulgam, Pulwama and Anantnag) has been subjected to Technology Adoption Index (TAI) to analyze the adoption level, and Multivariate Linear Regression Model to analyze its determinants. It has been found that farmers used excess seed material by 207.67 per cent, DAP and Urea by 28.00 and 10.82 per cent respectively. MOP use was recorded 3.69 per cent less than the recommended level, which stands one of the contributing factors of blast incidences in some farms. Incremental yield of 20.92 per cent was observed over the expected, which could be attributed mostly due to increased crop density rather than efficient production resulting from optimally dense farms. Regression analysis results have indicated that education level, experience and family labor of the respondents, coefficients of which were reported at 10.76, 0.56 and o.34 respectively, had a significant positive influence on TAI. Based on the results obtained, extension activities directed towards educating progressive farmers about Jhelum’s package of practices is suggested.