Economic Impact of Adopting Improved Soybean Technology: Evidence from Telangana, India

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max) is an important oilseed crop and a key source of protein, widely cultivated in rainfed regions of India. In Telangana, soybean plays a vital role in the farming systems of the northern districts, particularly under dry land conditions. Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Adilabad, under Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), developed an improved agro-technology i.e., foliar application of nutrients, 2% NPK (19-19-19) at the pod initiation stage, applied twice at one-week intervals along with the basal dose of fertilizers can increase the crop yields. Knowing the impact of technological adoption in terms of increased yields and social gains is important to further intensify the research in vital domains. Hence, the current study aimed at evaluating the economic impact of adopting PJTSAU improved technology by comparing adopters and non-adopters in Adilabad district using data from 120 sample farmers, selected purposively comprising of 60 adopters (15 from each village) and 60 non-adopters (15 from same village each for comparision). The results indicated that adopters achieved higher yields, increased gross returns and net returns per hectare and a higher return per rupee spent (1.21) compared to non-adopters (1.20). Using the economic surplus approach, the total economic surplus generated by the technology was estimated at Rs. 52.74 lakh, of which consumers and producers received 54.13 and 45.87 per cent, respectively. The technology demonstrated high research profitability, with a Net Present Value of Rs. 17.11 lakh, an Internal Rate of Return of 32 per cent, and a Benefit-Cost ratio of 3.09.