Adoption of Modern Agricultural Technologies in Bihar : A Farm Level Study

Transfer of technology is main obstacle in realizing agricultural potential in India. Present study focuses on level of adoption, access and quality of modern technology, access to extension institutions and problems faced by extension officials in transfer of technology. Study is based on primary data collected during 2013 from farm households, agricultural scientists and extension officers and covers all the four agro-climatic zones of Bihar. Focused group Discussion and Survey method was used. Analysis revealed that KVKs covered less than one per cent of villages under their jurisdiction, therefore govt departments were mainly responsible for implementation of agricultural development. Overall, only 22.8 percent farmers used modern seeds however, it was high at 46.67% for medium farmers. About 50 percent large farmers adopted scientific method of production of horticultural crops. About 6.25 percent farmers used pesticide in crop production compared to 12.50 and 8.0 percent in case of large farmers and marginal farmers, respectively. Only 12.50 percent farmers used paddy varieties released within five years but majority (76.25%) used varieties which were 10-20 years old, namely, Sita, Pankaj, Rajshree, Mahsuri. Dep of Agriculture, ATMA and KVK were main sources of information. High proportion of large farmer had access to these sources than other categories. Public system of seed production and distribution found weak which along with dissemination of information about modern agricultural development projects/schemes is a necessary factor for adoption of modern technology