A study on knowledge and adoption of improved technologies in maize in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh

Introduction

Global cereal production is dominated by maize (Zea mays L.), one of the most significant cereal crops in the world. Maize is often referred to as the "queen of cereals" because it has the highest genetic yield potential among the cereals. The average productivity in India is 2.43 t ha-1. In India, maize is the third most important food crops after rice and wheat. India produced 33.62 million tonnes in an area of 10.04 million hectares in 2021-22, whereas in kharif 2022-23, maize production was 23.10 million tonnes in an area of 9.68 million hectares (agricoop.nic). With a production and productivity of 17.84 lakh tons and 5918 kg/ha, respectively, over an area of 3.01 lakh ha, maize was grown in Andhra Pradesh, accounting for 5.66 percent of the nation's total production (des.ap.gov.in, 2020-21). A key strategy for raising food security and improving the majority's standard of living is utilizing modern agricultural technologies to increase agricultural productivity and production. Modern technology is required to boost maize production and productivity due to its significance to the nation's agricultural economy and family food security. However, smallholder farmers' knowledge and use of agricultural technologies in general, and improved maize varieties in particular, are limited due to numerous barriers that are either internal or external to the farmers' circumstances (Jaleta et al., 2013) [5] . Increased crop yield, profitability are associated with farmers using various intensification technologies in maize, which raises household income and consumption. Using modern agricultural technologies to increase agricultural productivity and production is a crucial strategy to enhance the livelihoods of the majority and improving food security (Kaliba et al., 2018) [6] . Considering Maize cultivation importance in East Godavari district a study on the impact of improved technologies on the Maize crop was conducted during the year 2021-22 with the following objectives.

Materials and Methods

The present study was conducted during 2021-22 in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 4 mandals Sitanagaram, Jaggampeta, Gandepalli and Maredumilli was selected purposively. A total of 6 villages has been selected from those mandals i.e. Chinakodepudi from Sitanagaram mandal, Katravulapalli and Jaggampeta from Jaggampeta mandal, Nayakampali and P.Surampalli from Gandepalli mandal, Thadepalli from Maredumilli mandal. 20 respondents from Chinakondepudi, 15 respondents from Katravulapalli, 10 from Jaggampeta, 10 from Gandepalli and 05 from Maredumilli has been selected following purposive random sampling technique resulting in a total sample size of 60 maize farmers. For the study ex-post facto research design was used. Data was collected through personal interviews, organized, and analyzed to determine the results and draw conclusions. The analysis employed various statistical tools such as frequency distributions and percentage. The extent of adoption of recommended maize cultivation practices was assessed using the improved Maize technologies recommended by the SAUs. In cases where significant deviations from the recommended practices were observed, respondents were asked to explain their reasons for nonadoption. These reasons were then categorized and analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The results provide insights into both the adoption and knowledge of recommended practices by maize farmers, offering a comprehensive understanding of the current state of maize cultivation in the region.

Results and Discussion 1. Profile characteristics of maize farmers

It is apparent from Table 1 majority of the farmers belonged to middle age (58.00%) category followed by young age (25.00%) and old age (17.00%). Middle age farmers are good decision makers and often have wider range of networks than young age people. Majority of the farmers had primary level of education followed by illiterate (30.00%), high school (28.00%), UG (3.00%). The probable reason for 30.00 per cent farmers to be in illiterate category might be due to illiteracy of their parents, non-realization of importance of formal education. Almost 95.00 per cent of the farmers are had farming as the occupation only 5.00 per cent of them are had both farming and business. It is also elicit from the Table 1 more than half (62.00%) of the farmers belongs to OC followed by ST (23.00%), SC (10.00%) and BC (5.00%). Nearly three fourth of the farmers had >15 years of farming experience followed by 11-15 years (22.00%), 6-10 years (7.00%). More than half (58.00%) of the farmers had <5 ha of land followed by 5-10 ha (25.00%) and >10 ha (17.00%).

Majority 40.00 per cent of the farmers had 50,000-1, 00,000 annual income followed by <50,000 (32.00%) and 1, 00,000 (28.00%). Most of the farmers 87.00 per cent belongs to small family (up to 5 members) followed by large family (> 5 members) 13.00 per cent. Majority 85.00 per cent of the farmers belongs to nucleus type of family followed 15.00 per cent by joint type of family.

It is also depicted from Table 1 farmers obtained information from majorly from input dealers 45.00 per cent followed by other farmers (22.00%), ADA (10.00%), AO (8.00%), Scientists (7.00%), MPEOs/VAA (5.00%) and AEO (3.00%). Nearly three fourth 72.00 per cent of the farmers had no membership in the social institutions followed by 28.00 per cent of the farmers had membership in the social institutions. Majority 47.00 per cent of the farmers had extension contact rarely (47.00%) followed by frequent (33.00%) and regular (20.00%) extension contact.

Knowledge level of farmers on improved Technologies adopted in Maize Crop

The data presented in the Table 2 revealed that majority (97.00%) of the farmers had knowledge on recommended time of sowing, recommended Zinc deficiency management chemicals followed by recommended pests management chemicals (92.00%), recommended weedicides (90.00%), recommended dosage of fertilizers (87.00%), recommended disease management chemicals (82.00%) and Recommended seed rate (75.00%). It is also evident that 100 per cent of the farmers had no knowledge on recommended varieties/Hybrids available with SAUs.

Overall knowledge level of farmers on improved Technologies in Maize

The data furnished in the Table 3 represents the overall knowledge level of improved technologies in Maize which highlighted that majority of the famers 60.00 per cent had medium level of knowledge followed by 22.00 per cent low level and 18.00 per cent had high level of adoption. Similar findings were supported by Netam (2018) [7] who reported 72.96% respondents had belonged to medium level of knowledge about improved technologies in Maize in the study area.

Adoption of improved technologies in Maize by

farmers in East Godavari district From Table 4, it can be inferred that significant proportion of farmers were following recommendations for sowing time (93.00%), pest management (90.00%), correction of zinc deficiency (85.00%), weedicides (83.00%), disease management (68.00%) and seed rate (65.00%). However all of them were not adhering to the recommended varieties of maize related to SAUs (100.00%) and fertilizer management (100.00%). This indicates that while farmers are diligent in some aspects of maize cultivation, there are critical areas like fertilizer, management and adoption of SAUs related varieties where efforts are needed for better adherence to recommended agricultural practices. The data furnished in the Table 5 represents the adoption level of improved technologies in Maize which highlighted that majority of the famers 57.00 per cent had medium level of adoption followed by 23.00 per cent medium level and 20.00 per cent had high level of adoption.

Similar findings were supported by Netam (2018) [7] who reported 73.70% respondents had belonged to medium level of adoption about improved technologies in Maize in the study area.

Conclusion

The study highlights the knowledge and adoption level of farmers regarding improved technologies in Maize crop during 2021-22 in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Farmers had knowledge on recommendations such as time of sowing, chemicals to control pests, correction of zinc deficiency through recommended chemicals, pre-emergence weedicides, short duration hybrids in maize, chemicals to control diseases. Recommendations such as sowing time, pest management, correction of zinc deficiency, weedicides, disease management and seed rate were adopted by the farmers whereas recommendations regarding fertilizer management was not adopted.

The reasons for non-adoption of improved technologies in Maize includes non-availability of Maize varieties, availability of treated seed from seed companies, perception of less dosage of fertilizer, not aware on type of inter crops to be grown, negligible incidence of disease because of which fungicide sprayings are not adopted followed by close spacing for more plant population. Majority of the farmers suggested that availability of Maize varieties to farmers, arranging local markets, announcement of minimum support price before the commencement of crop season and procurement of produce at profitable prices, making harvesting machines available to farmers, government should provide seed, fertilizers, weedicides, www.extensionjournal.com micronutrients, insecticides and fungicides on subsidy to farmers can reduce the constraints faced in adoption of improved technologies. Efforts to increase the adoption of recommended technologies should focus on educating farmers about fertilizer management, types of inter crops grown, making available of Maize varieties. Enhanced extension services, policy support, and the provision of accessible resources will be crucial in bridging the gap between current farming practices and recommended agricultural technologies.

References

1. Oyekale AS, Idjesa E. Adoption of improved maize seeds and production efficiency in Rivers State, Nigeria. Acad J Plant Sci. 2009;2(1):44-50.
2. Sserunkuuma D. The adoption and impact of improved maize and land management technologies in Uganda. Electron J Agric Dev Econ. 2005;2(1):67-84.
3. Cavane E. Farmers' attitude and adoption of improved maize varieties and chemical fertilizers in Mozambique. Indian Res J Ext Edu. 2011;11(1):1-6.
4. Danso-Abbeam G, Antwi Bosiako J, Ehiakpor DS, Mabe FN. Adoption of improved maize variety among farm households in the northern region of Ghana. Cogent Econ Finance. 2017;5:1:1416896.
5. Jaleta M, Yirga C, Kassie M, De Groote H, Shiferaw B. Knowledge, adoption and use intensity of improved maize technologies: International conference of the African Association of Agricultural Economists. 2013;1-30.
6. Kaliba AR, Mazvimavi K, Gregory TL, Mgonja FM, Mgonja M. Factors affecting adoption of improved sorghum varieties in Tanzania under information and capital constraints. Agric Food Econ. 2018;6:18.
7. Netam PK, Awasthi HK, Sengar RS. Knowledge and adoption of recommended maize production technology. J Plant Dev Sci. 2018;10(2):707-711.
8. Sanaullah U, Pervaiz S, Ali M, Fayaz M, Khan A. The impact of improved farming practices on maize yield in federally administered tribal areas, Pakistan. Sarhad J Agric. 2020;36(1):348-358.
9. Sarada O, Kumar GV. Exploring technology adoption and production constraints in maize cultivation in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Agric J. 2024;71(2):240-245.
10. Chowhan MV, Reddy S, Kumar TL. A study on extent of adoption of recommended production technologies by maize growers in Koppal district of Karnataka. The Pharma Innovation J. 2021;SP-10(12):45-49.