Adoption of Maize Based Cropping System in Flood Affected Areas as Coping Mechanism -A Study in Morigaon District, Assam
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Date
2021
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Publisher
AAU, Jorhat
Abstract
Maize is now being important crop component for cropping system followed in
flood affected areas of Assam. Considering the importance of maize crop in flood affected areas,
the present study was carried out in Morigaon district of Assam with following objectives - 1.
study the extent of adoption of maize based cropping system in flood affected area, 2. assess the
income of the farmers after adopting this maize based cropping system, 3. determine perceived
effectiveness of maize based cropping system as coping mechanism for flood, 4. study the
factors likely to influence in adoption, income and perceived effectiveness of maize based
cropping system and 5. identify problems faced by farmers in adoption of maize based cropping
system.
A purposive and proportionate random sampling method was used for selecting
respondents. Appropriate statistical methods were used for analysis and interpretation of data.
It was revealed from the study that majority (76%) of the farmers show moderate
level adoption of recommended maize cultivation practices. ’Sowing time’, ‘method of sowing’,
‘drainage facility and moisture maintain at critical stage’ were adopted by all respondents as
recommended. While in case of varieties, weeding operation, fertilizer application, plant
protection measures were adopted with modification from the recommendation. Different maize
based cropping systems were identified in the study area, among which ‘Maize-Maize/Mustard-
Vegetable’ and ‘Rice/Maize-Maize/Boro paddy-Jute/Vegetable’ cropping systems were mostly
followed by the farmers. It was also found from the study that maize varieties such as P3401,
DE222, Maharaja 92, Bumper and Sun Vamman were mostly grown in the research area. Maize
based cropping system was found more profitable than rice based cropping system. The average
income earned by the maize farmers was found as Rs. 3, 35,823 whereas the average income of
rice farmers was Rs. 2, 92,649 and difference was found statistical significant. Majority (64%)
of farmers following maize based cropping system was found as medium level effectiveness for
coping with adverse effect of flood. Well established marketing channel, suitable climate and
soil for growing maize and also a good benefit cost ratio of maize based cropping system were
the important dimensions for farmers to consider it as effective. The result depicts that the
explanatory variables ‘farming experience’ (X4), ‘maize cultivated area’ (X6), ‘cropping
intensity’ (X8), ‘resource status’ (X9), ‘economic motivation’ (X15), ‘degree of innovativeness’
(X16), ‘perceived effectiveness’ (X18) and ‘income’ (X19) were found positive and ‘age’ (X1),
‘operational land holding’ (X5), ‘flood proneness’ (X7) were negative and significantly
contributing for expressing the variation of extent of adoption. These variables together
explained 87% (R2 = .878) variation of extent of adoption of maize based cropping system. The
positive and significant contribution for explaining the variation in income of farmers were
‘educational experience’ (X2), ‘family size’ (X3), ‘operational land holding’ (X5), ‘maize
cultivated area’ (X6), ‘cropping intensity’ (X8), ‘extent of adoption’ (X18), ‘perceived
effectiveness’ (X19) and negative and significant contribution for explaining the variation in
income of farmers was ‘market agent visit to a farm’ (X13). These variables together explained
84% (R2 = .848) variation of income of farmers followed maize based cropping system.
Likewise positive and significant contribution for explaining the variation in perceived
effectiveness of farmers were ‘maize cultivated area’ (X6), ‘resource status’ (X9), ‘farmers visit
to the market’ (X12), ‘extent of adoption’ (X18), ‘income’ (X19) and ‘flood proneness’ (X7) was
found as negative and significant contribution for explaining the variation in perceived
effectiveness. Around 69% variation of perceived effectiveness is explained by these variables
in together.
But different problems related to finance, market, production etc were also came
into focused during the time of personal interview with the respondents. Extension agencies,
both private and public extension system need to be strong for understanding the farmers’ level
problem and try to solve them. There is also a need of different trainings on maize crop and
extension system should put forward its sincere efforts for popularizing the benefits of maize
crops among the farmers for its further adoption in future.