Assessing and identifying the factors influencing utilization of CSA technologies among farmers of agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Climate change acts as a major threat to agriculture by causing severe drought, change in rainfall pattern, increase in temperature and much more which lead to drastic reduction in yield. To ensure food security for the growing Indian population and to increase income for the farmers, a farmer has to tackle the climate changes by utilizing climate smart agricultural technologies rather than adopting for instance and discontinuing it later. Hence, this study aims to assess the objective of adoption of CSA technologies, extent of utilization of CSA technologies and the factors influencing utilization of CSA technologies among the adopters of CSA technologies. From each agro-climatic zone, thirty progressive farmers were selected for the study and their utilization behaviour is assessed against the documented CSA technologies. The findings of the study revealed that, farmers adopt CSA technologies to mitigate climate change rather than improving productivity and resilience of the ecosystem. Further, Villupuram, Namakkal, Tiruvarur and Ramanathapuram farmers had medium level of utilization behaviour; Coimbatore and Kanyakumari farmers had high level of utilization behavior and Nilgiris farmer’s exhibit low level of utilization behavior towards CSA technologies. Eventually, it is recommended that financial status, situational factors, and technical knowledge of farmers determines the extent of utilization of CSA practices despite of the importance of the technology. Hence, these factors should be critically examined before promoting CSA technologies and formulating policies.