Factors Influencing Knowledge of Farmers on Sri Paddy Cultivation: Evidence from Kohima District of Nagaland

Author: Azhanuo Rutsa and K. K. Jha

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Abstract

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a farming methodology which is primarily aimed at increasing the yield of rice produced in farming. It is a methodology for comprehensively managing and conserving resources by changing the way that land, seeds, water, nutrients, and human labour are used to increase productivity. Rice is an important cereal crop in Nagaland and also the staple food of the state but the paddy cultivation techniques adopted by the majority of farmers are still traditional. So, a research study was undertaken in Kohima District to examine the factors influencing knowledge of farmers on recommended SRI paddy cultivation technology including a sample size of 120 farmers. The study revealed that majority 93.33 % of the farmers growing SRI paddy had overall medium level of knowledge on SRI paddy cultivation whereas for conventional paddy growers 66.67 per cent had low level of knowledge. Variables like formal sources of information, scientific orientation, training exposure, attitude, family size, age, mass media and market orientation were found associated in influencing the knowledge level of recommended SRI paddy cultivation. Therefore, the study recommends organizing need based training programmes, demonstration, field trips, by different training agents/agencies/extension agents for enhancing more knowledge of the farmers for improving adoption of SRI technology and productivity of paddy cultivation.

Keywords

SRI paddy, socio-economic characteristics, knowledge, regression, Nagaland

Conclusion

Majority 93.33 % of the respondents had overall medium level of knowledge on improved paddy cultivation whereas for Conventional paddy growers 66.67 per cent of them had low level of knowledge on improved paddy cultivation. Variables like formal sources of information, scientific orientation, training exposure, attitude, family size, age, mass media and market orientation were associated in influencing the knowledge level of recommended paddy cultivation. The predictor variables Age, Education, Total land holding size, Social participation, Extension Contact, Scientific Orientation and Attitude combined explained about 99.1 % of the total variations for Knowledge of SRI technology of paddy farmers. It is therefore recommended to organize need based training programmes, demonstration, field trips, study tour in the prioritized areas which should be imparted by different training agencies/ extension agents. This may be helpful to enhance the knowledge of farmers for improving paddy cultivation and increasing their profitability. The state government should provide adequate quality inputs and timely assistance to farmers for SRI paddy cultivation so that the farmers could take up SRI paddy cultivation in larger areas for higher production and income.

References

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How to cite this article

Azhanuo Rutsa and K.K. Jha (2023). Factors Influencing Knowledge of Farmerson Sri Paddy Cultivation: Evidence from Kohima District of Nagaland. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(7): 235-239.