LOW agricultural productivity of developing countries is a common feature. One of the reasons is non-adoption of improved and recommended technologies. Crop production technologies are there but their adoption is low. Increase in the productivity has always remained a concern of scientists. Many technologies have developed by the researchers to improve the efficiency of crop production systems. In agriculture, production technology may be an input, use of an implement, practice or a procedure to overcome a difficulty, to increase yield or save time.
Agricultural department of the provinces publish brochures and booklets for recommended production technologies for each crop. These are considered as recommended technological package for crops. The technologies explained in the package include varietals selection, land preparation, application of fertilizers, irrigation schedule, weed control, insect pest and disease control and harvesting schedule.
It is believed that by adopting these recommended technologies farmers can get yields closer to potential yields. It has been reported by the scientists that on an average, the gap between potential and actual yields obtained for various field crops is more than 50 per cent. One of the major reasons for this is the non-adoption of recommended technologies.
Recently a survey was conducted on awareness and adoption of rice technologies among the farmers of the rice-wheat areas, (Kallar belt) of the Punjab. The survey revealed that about 70 per cent farmers were aware of it and 90-97 per cent fully aware of the technologies like the varieties, land preparation, fertilizer applications, irrigations and harvesting time.
However, the awareness about exotic inputs and non-traditional methods of seed treatment, pest and disease control is comparatively low.
The knowledge does not guarantee the adoption of technologies. It depends on the flow of information system, farmers’ resources, behaviour and the socio-economic conditions. The findings of the study conclude that many rice technologies are well adopted while others not. Those based on indigenous knowledge have widely been adopted. These include variety selection, raising paddy nursery, land preparation, paddy transplanting, irrigation.
However, super impositions of non-traditional treatments on local technologies have made the adoption partial. These include chemical treatments like seed treatment and chemical weed control and use of pesticides. This is true for all crops. On the basis of survey results, the following suggestions are made to enhance adoption of technologies, which ultimately leads in reducing the gap between actual and potential yields.
* Creation of awareness is the prime step towards the adoption process. A well established extension system is in force for the dissemination of agricultural technologies.
Unfortunately, there is dichotomy between the research and the extension system, lacking proper dialogue on technology generation, development and dissemination among farmers. The situation is severe at lower level of extension and research systems keeping the extension agent deprived of proper technical knowledge necessary for dissemination of technologies.
In this situation regular training programmes, workshops and seminars about innovations and crop production technologies are to be developed in collaboration with research institutes to update the extension agents’ knowledge. The activity may be carried out at Markaz level (Agriculture office/officer level). Equipping the extension agent with the updated knowledge would help in the delivery of information about production technologies with confidence.
* The strengthening of linkages between research, extension and farmer has always been emphasized. However, a proper system could not be brought in scene. For strengthening effective links a proper information exchange forum can be initiated at lower level where farmers can participate with ease.
All stakeholders interested in agriculture development can be the members of the forum and they could participate freely. Seminars, workshops, discussions or any other mode of communication can be sought according to situations for creating awareness regarding agricultural production technologies.
The idea can be thrashed out and matured through proper meetings and discussions among research, extension, educationists, farmers and other interested groups. It will help to create awareness among the farmers.
* The farmers are approached from various sources to motivate them for adoption of recommended technologies for crop production. Many times recommended technologies delivered to farmers do not match with each other. It creates a state of confusion among farmers, to which source they should choose to consider authority for adoption of technologies when these differ in practice.
The common example is the preparation of recommendation for crop production by research system and extension system separately without collaboration and discussions. Sometimes mass media is also used to disseminate the conflicting technologies.
To avoid such instances of confusions, all stakeholders, generating and delivering production technologies, are required to hold meetings for thorough discussions before preparing documents (pamphlets, brochures, booklets or documentaries). The messages from various sources should carry the similar recommendations for specific areas and specific crops.
* Personal contacts are the best to create awareness and motivation for dissemination of technologies. But to approach each farmer through personal contacts is difficult rather impossible. The alternate mode of communication is the use of mass media (electronic media and print media), which is spreading at a faster rate.
Each source of mass media is beneficial for specific target groups. Literate farmers can make use of both print and electronic media, radio, TV and Internet, according to their capacity of use. Farmers can benefit from radio and TV. Thus, if technologies are disseminated through mass media, it can be widely circulated in a short possible time.
* Currently radio and TV is used for technologies, but the timings are not suitable for farmers. The times for broadcast/telecast of agricultural programmes need be reviewed. At prime time various programmes are broadcast and telecast which commercial companies sponsor. A special channel devoted to agriculture perhaps may solve the problem.
* Role of education has always been recognized for the adoption of technologies. Education helps in increasing the general understanding level. Many studies and forums have emphasized to increase rural education and many projects and agencies are involved in uplifting literacy rate, but these are localized in nature leaving little effect on rural communities. A perspective planning is needed to target the real aim in increasing the literacy rate. Ultimately, it would help farmers understanding the crop production technologies.
