Constraints faced and suggestions given by the farmers in adoption of drudgery reducing technologies

Introduction

Agriculture has important role in economy of India. Agriculture is the occupation of majority of population in the country. At majority of the places, it is done by conventional methods. So that, it is regarded as drudgery prone occupation. This viewpoint emerged because of the absence of modern technology and better agricultural practices in day-to-day operations. Farmers work on themselves in most locations, wasting labor, money, and time. The amount of work that women do in agriculture is tremendous. Of the three main agricultural populations in India-male, female, and young-only the female farmers account for more than 60% of all farm-related activities (Bindeshwari Pandro, 2020) [2] . Drudgery-reducing technologies contribute to the prevention of long-term health problems and accidents. These technologies are critical in reducing the time and physical effort necessary for essential work. This not only increases agricultural output, but also allows farmers to devote more time to crop management and other related operations. These technologies, by enhancing operational efficiency, can lower production costs and increase profitability, giving agriculture a more sustainable lifestyle. The Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani had developed drudgery reducing technologies like Cotton picking apron, Gopal khore, Revolving milking stool and stand, Janai hatmoje (Harvesting mitten), Trishul weeder, Sulbha Bag, Sonai Bag, Phuleri basket, Tikai Bag, Gauri Bag, digging tool Ukari and Nakhalya, wooden rake, Earthing up tool, multi-purpose tailoring table etc. All these tools alleviate physical strain and labour. By reducing the manual working and labour, these equipments allow the farmers to work on larger area in less time and more efficiently. This will indirectly help to reduce physical strain and retain the health. All India Coordinated Research Project (Women in agriculture) and College of Community Science, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani had developed various ICTs like mobile app in the name Technologies for farm women, blogs, YouTube etc to create awareness and increase the adoption level of drudgery reducing technology. Despite the obvious benefits, the adoption of these technology varies greatly between regions and demographic groups. Several variables influence adoption rates, including financial access, educational attainment, the availability of technical support, and cultural attitudes toward innovation. Therefore, adoption of drudgery reducing tools has very much importance in Indian agriculture sector. By the way of awareness and training, farmers will adopt these technologies which indirectly performs so many beneficial functions. Therefore, the study aims to know constraints faced and suggestions given by the farmers in adoption of drudgery reducing technologies developed by VNMKV, Parbhani among the farmers.

Objective

To know constraints faced and suggestions given by the farmers in adoption of drudgery reducing technologies developed by VNMKV, Parbhani.

Methodology

The present study was conducted in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state during the year 2023-24 with the objective to know the constraints faced and suggestions given by farmers in adoption of drudgery reducing technologies developed by VNMKV, Parbhani. For the study, Parbhani district was selected from Maharashtra state as, the work of All India Coordinated Research Project (Women in agriculture), Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani was carried out in this district. Three tehsils from Parbhani district viz., Parbhani, Purna and Manwath were selected for the purpose of study as major work of AICRP (WIA) VNMKV, Parbhani was carried out in three talukas. Previously and currently adopted 10 villages were selected randomly from the respective talukas and 12 respondents from each village were selected randomly from the list of beneficiaries of AICRP (WIA) VNMKV, Parbhani constituting the sample size of 120. Ex-post-facto research design was used for the study. Data was gathered using a wellstructured interview schedule. To interpret findings and to draw conclusions, statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and coefficient correlation were used. The independent variables were age, education, size of family, occupation, land holding, annual income, extension contact, social participation, risk orientation, knowledge of drudgery reducing technology. Adoption was the only dependent variable.

Results and Discussion

The objective of the study was to know the constraints faced and suggestions given by farmers in adopting drudgery reducing technologies. Detailed information on these constraints and suggestions given is presented in Table 1 andTable 2 respectively. 1 shows that the primary constraint faced by respondents was the strong emphasis on traditional practices (87.50%). The next significant constraint, reported by 74.17 per cent of respondents, was difficulty in handling various technologies. Other constraints faced by respondents were as follows: 71.67 per cent encountered difficulties due to a lack of skilled labour; 69.17 per cent faced issues with limited contact with extension agents; 65.83 per cent struggled with the difficulty of repairing tools locally; 64.17 per cent had constraints related to a lack of capital; 61.67 per cent experienced problems with high product costs; 60.00 per cent faced challenges due to insufficient technical knowledge and 59.17 per cent dealt with a lack of riskbearing ability.

Conclusion

The primary constraint faced by respondents was the strong emphasis on traditional practices. The other significant constraints reported was, difficulty in handling various technologies, lack of skilled labour, limited contact with extension agents, difficulty of repairing tools locally, lack of capital, high product costs, insufficient technical knowledge and lack of risk-bearing ability.

The suggestions given by farmers in adopting drudgery reducing technologies were that, the farmers be informed about updated technologies, providing information on the utility of these technologies, decreasing the cost of equipment, making tools more accessible at the taluka level, the organization of training camps and programs on the use of various tools, knowledge about tool maintenance should be provided.

References

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