A study on adoption of climate resilient technologies by farmers under NICRA in Uttarakhand
Loading...
Date
2020-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Climate change and food security are two of the most critical challenges being faced by the global community. India is more vulnerable in view of large population depending on agriculture. The farmers already act towards in the climatic changes both by adopting the technological coping mechanisms on the positive side and negatively through shifting to other professions. Uttarakhand is most vulnerable to climate-mediated risks because agriculture in Uttarakhand is largely rain-fed, irrigation facilities are least, and small fragmented land holdings. To cope up with climate change, climate resilience is the ability of a system to absorb shocks and recover as quickly as possible to normal conditions when external environment improves. So there is a need for a climate resilient agriculture leading to sustainable food security through integrating innovations, technologies, efficient resource use, capacity building, public policies, establishment of new institutions, and development of infrastructure etc. NICRA is an ICAR initiative launched with a focus on making most vulnerable districts of the nation climate resilient. The project can succeed only with farmer’s contribution and their commitment of time and resources. Hence, there is a need to find out the extent of farmers participation and adoption of technologies under project. The present study made an attempt to find out the socioeconomic, personal, communication and psychological characteristics of farmers along with extent of adoption of climate resilient technologies by them to cope up with climate change. Relationship between socio-economic, personal, communication and psychological characteristics of farmer and their extent of adoption of climate resilient technologies was also studied. The study was conducted in two purposively selected districts Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal as the locale for the study. Three villages namely Dabri and Kailaith of Tehri Garhwal and Dunda of Uttarkashi district were selected purposively for study. Total 200 respondents were selected through probability proportionate to size method. The analytical and descriptive research design was used. Pre tested interview schedule and statistical methods such as frequency, percentage, t-test, correlation of coefficient, CSRT, regression analysis etc. were used to analyzed and interpretation of the data. Findings of the study reveal that majority of the respondent (41%) were middle age group, were female (54.5%), general caste (87.50%), educated upto middle level (25%), having married (99%), majority were nuclear families (50.50%), with small size of (42%) families. Majority of respondent had low farming experience (37.50%), belonged to (47%) medium socio economic status, low extension agency of contact (63.50%), medium extent of mass media utilization (57.50%), moderately localite (45.50%), less cosmopolite (44.50%), low information seeking behavior (41.00%) and had high scientific orientation (43%), and medium innovativeness (41%). Majority of the respondents were participating in rainwater harvesting practices (74.50%) followed by 55.50 percent were in training activities regarding vermin composting under natural resources management activities. Under crop production, majority were participating in weed control measures (66%) followed by 64.50 percent of participating in pre showing techniques. Majority of respondents were participating in training related to poultry production (98%). Respondents were having medium level of overall perception about changing climate and the ongoing climate resilient practices. Full adoption of technologies such as 16.50 percent low cost water harvesting structure, 10.5 percent poly house for vegetable cultivation, 9 percent vermicomposting, 31 percent respondent was drought tolerant varieties and 48 percent high yielding varieties, vegetable nursery raising which was adopted by 31.50 percent respondent, 5 percent use of traps to control white grubs, 3.50 percent fodder grass on farm bunds, 7 percent use improved varieties of fodder and poultry farming by 0.50 percent farmers. It was found that education status, extension agency contact, land holding, type of land, socio economic status, scientific orientation, innovativeness and information seeking behaviour were found to be significant positive relationship with the adoption of climate resilient practices. Further effect of independent variables on level of adoption based on SPSS found that innovativeness, SES, land holding, farming experiences, personal localiteness, information seeking behaviour, mass media exposure and gender was the major contributory factors which explain the variation in adoption level of the farmers with a contribution of 55.10 percent of variances (R2 = 0.551).This study threw some light on policy matters to reproduce models to other villages and to redesign the already implemented interventions in a way which ensures a higher adoptability. In addition, developmental schemes to focus exclusively on climate resilient aspects of the farmers need to be designed and implemented. Also, it is important to focus on policies and plans to access and quality of public extension services, more training for farmers, more government extension staff working at the local level and promote knowledge for more adoption are essential.