Farmer perceptions, Economic benefits and risk- Effects on technology adoption

Socio- Economics Program CIMMYT

The Concern

Low yield growth, inspite of new technologies being introduced

Farmers face threat of economic viability and sustainability in crop production

Poor technology adoption Decline in investment Inefficiency in value/supply chain

Technology Adoption
Answers are sought for
Why some technologies are popular among farmers? Which of the technologies are widely adopted? Where and Why? How effectively is the technology adopted and diffused?

This information guides us on

How research has impacted productivity, incomes and poverty? What should be the future priorities? Where are the gaps in research and adoption?

Technology adoption is effected by

Knowledge to adopt Ability to adopt Incentive to adopt Input prices Output Prices

Technical know how

Credit
Infrastructur e

Other Information

Markets
Supply Chain

Profitability

Zero-Tillage Wheat in Haryana: Diffusion and Impacts

Study conducted by

Vijesh Krishna
CIMMYT (New Delhi)

& Mukesh Meena

University of Agricultural Sciences (Bangalore)

Background of the study

Objectives - Examination of the ZT diffusion pattern (including the reasons for non- and disadoption and constraints in adoption of the technology) A list of 100 villages of Haryana, where ZT wheat is widely adopted was obtained from Dr. ML Jat Data was collected through (a) Focus group discussions (b) Farm-household surveys FGDs and surveys were conducted during January-February 2011 in 15 villages selected randomly Random selection of 180 wheat farmers was done from these villages (12 households/village)

ZT adoption (%households) in sample villages 100 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 90

80

0 Segha Kherilama Baghal Kalayat Kaulekhan Sonta Malor Niharirsi Dodhpur Shahpur Hathira Thal Sandhali Basna Basantpur Kurukshetra Ambala Kaithal

ZT adoption in sample villages

Districts and villages

ZT adoption among wheat growing households

Non adoption Discountinous adoption Continuous adoption

16%

21% 63%

Reasons for non-, and discontinuous-adoption and constraints in adoption of ZT wheat

Reasons behind Discontinuous adoption (N = 38) 14 5 5 3 8 0 Non-adoption (N = 28) Constraints in adoption (N = 112) 2 4 1 1 9 2

Field/plot characteristic

Excess moisture in field Soil structure/undulation unsuitable for ZT Lack of moisture during sowing Small land-holding Cropping pattern Difficulty to manage kharif crop (pearl millet, cotton, rice) residues Early harvesting of kharif crop

0 14 4 11 54 0

Figures show % of farmers in each group expressing the particular concern

Reasons for non-, dis- and discontinuous-adoption and constraints in adoption of ZT wheat (Contd.)
Reasons behind Discontinuous adoption (N = 38) 19 5 Non-adoption (N = 28)

Constraints in adoption (N = 112)

4 0

Undesirable impacts of the technology

High aphid infestation Negative impact on soil quality/structure High fertilizer requirement High weed infestation High irrigation requirement Low yield Low germination of seed Scarcity of the drill Other reasons/constraints No specific reason/constraint

0 4

0 4 4 7 7 14 0 0

0 3 5 22 0 8 3 3

2 0 2 3 0 1 2 69

Figures show % of farmers in each group expressing the particular concern

Farmers perception

Traditional technology vs modern/ new technology Farmers perception are not adequately analyzed in adoption studies An econometric model that includes farmers perception variables can explain adoption behaviour better than the ones that include only the usual farm and farmer related variables An important area of research is to understand the process through which farmers revise their perceptions regarding technologies and why perceptions differ across individuals.

Farmers perception (cont.)

Differential access to information and differences in information processing capacity may lead to variations in perceptions and farmers ability to update their initial perceptions. Knowledge about the specific characteristics of the new technology play an important role in adoption and changing farmers perception Programs and extension strategies help to understand farmers perspectives and help to revise framers perceptions- usually lead to improved adoption rate.

Farmers associations with traits

Yield performance Income Low cost of production Pest resistance Relative Tolerance Drought tolerance Environmental effects

High priority

Low Priority

Socio-Economic variable impacting technology adoption

Internal factors- Characteristics of the decision maker Age and Gender Education and Experience Farm size Risk taking attitude

Socio-Economic variable impacting technology adoption (cont.)

External factors Closer contacts to source of information Exposure to experimental trials Adoption by peers Ease of access to inputs and machineries Infrastructure and Governance Availability of finance Readability of new technology Market value of new varieties- taste and preferences

Economic Benefits

Cost
Machinery and fuel cost Pesticides/ Herbicides/ and Weedicides cost Invested time to understand the new technologymanagement cost

Benefit
Less water utilization Improved soil health Reduced labor cost Reduced yield variability Shorter cropping cycle in CA

Perceived economic returns and risk associated with a new technology impacts the technology adoption.

Socio Economic Surveys

Location and cropping patter, characteristics, of household and farmer Sampling Procedures Stratified Random Sampling Farmers perception - Types of measurement- Qualitative and quantitative quantitative (e.g., crop yields, quantity of seed and other inputs used) qualitative (e.g., farmer opinions of new technologies) Quantitative measurements are necessary for analyses and interpretations. Qualitative data can often add insights and explanations that are hard to capture in numbers. e.g., farmer reasons for non adoption) can be quantified after coding,

Socio Economic Surveys cont.

Farmers Perception- Focus Group discussion Economic Benefits and RisksHousehold surveys Comparison b/w baselines and adoption surveys Control Group to be created

Technology Adoption- role of literacy, social networks and ICT

Formal education may not contribute directly, but influences efficient allocation of resources. Literacy has a positive and significant relationship with farm modernization and agricultural productivity. Social networks has role in building the trust to influence the adoption of new mindsets and actions by small farmers. ICT acts as a revolutionising mode to disseminate information.- through Internet based information system and mobile phone based information systems

Improve technology adoption

Connect with farmers to Do the cost disseminat benefit e the analysis of knowledge new Understa technology about benefits nding farmers perceptio n

Demonstr ate with experime ntal trials

Thank you!!