Direct seeded rice (DSR) cultivation in Haryana: problems and prospects

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Date
2014
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Publisher
CCSHAU
Abstract
The study was conducted in Yamuna Nagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Kaithal districts of Haryana state during the year 2013-14. These districts have maximum area under rice cultivation. A total number of 120 farmers growing rice in direct seeded culture constituted the sample of the study. The information about respondents’ socio-personnel traits, adoption of major aspects of DSR technology, constraints faced by them and prospects perception of DSR technology were collected with the help of structured interview schedule. The study revealed that method of sowing, depth of sowing, seed treatment, flat pan nozzle use for spray, land preparation and use of recommended weedicides were highly adopted practices by the farmers whereas they had least adopted or not adopted the practices like recommended seed rate, timely application of fertilizers and their recommended doses and ferrous sulphate use at deficiency syndrome not as per regular interval application. The overall adoption level of DSR technology was low to moderate since 70 per cent of respondents belonged to low to medium category and only 30 per cent belonged to high adoption category. Regarding constraints faced included non-availability of quality inputs like seeds, fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides in required quantity and at proper time, high weed infestation, wide fluctuation in prices, lack of minimum support price, no storage facility in villages, non-availability of extension personnel for technical guidance, lack of low interest credit facilities, non-availability of printed literature in time in villages and lack of stable procurement policy for basmati along with lack of trained field staff to provide technical guidance throughout cultivation process were major serious constraints the farmers experienced in DSR cultivation. Pertaining to prospects perception of farmers about DSR technology in Haryana, majority of the farmers agreed that it gave better net returns in comparison to transplanting, less water requirement, less labour requirement and best suited to climate changes like delayed onset of monsoon or under drought conditions. The Govt. should seriously look into the problems faced by farmers in adoption of DSR technology and necessary steps or actions should be taken to ensure availability of quality inputs, fixing of minimum support price, stable procurement policy formulation and trained field functionaries for dissemination of such natural resource conservation technology essential for sustainable agriculture.
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Keywords
Sowing, Rice, Tillage equipment, Irrigation, Productivity, Crops, Planting equipment, Biological phenomena, Costs, Manpower
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