Impact of modern technologies on rice production in Ratnagiri district (M.S.)

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.), is an important food grain crop of Kokan region. For the fulfilling the food requirement of increasing population there is a need to increase the production and productivity of rice. The present study entitled, ‘Impact of modern technologies on rice production in Ratnagiri district (M.S.)’ was undertaken with two tahsils having maximum proportionate rice area to gross cropped area. Eight villages and 120 farmers were selected randomly from study area. The data collected pertains to agriculture year 2008-2009. The sample farmers were classified into three groups as per technological adaption index (TAI) as low (up to 33), moderate (34 to 66) and higher adapter (above 66). It was observed from the study that the cropping pattern of the sample farmers was dominated by rice crop. The gross cropped area at overall level was 1.39 ha with cropping intensity of 111.2 per cent. As regards to input utilization, it was found that the farmers in high adoption category utilized the highest inputs per hectare as compare to low and moderate adoption category. Per hectare cost of cultivation was also found to be maximum (Rs. 57100.63) in high adoption category followed by Rs. 52793.35 and Rs. 47767.84 in moderate and low adoption category, respectively. Per hectare gross returns obtained in different adopters from rice was Rs.46310, Rs.53437and Rs.59865 in low, moderate and high adoption category, respectively. The cultivation of rice in low adoption category was not found profitable at total cost level. Per hectare loss observed was to the tune of Rs. 1457.84 in low adoption category. The input-output ratio observed to 1:0.97 and 1:1.01 in low and moderate adopters while, it was 1:1.05 in high adopters. In all the three groups, more or less constant returns to scale were observed in the production of rice. Deviation of inputs used was more in low adapter as compare to high and moderate adapter group.