Knowledge Center Catalog

Factors affecting maize production technology adoption by the farmers of eastern Nepal

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextPublication details: Kathmandu (Nepal) NARC|CIMMYT : 2002Description: p. 268-273ISBN:
  • 99933-205-1-X
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 631.536 RAJ
Summary: Maize (Zea mays L.) is the second most important crop of Nepal after rice for food and feed. It was grown on 819,010 ha and produced 1,445,450 tons (MOAC, ABPSD, 1999/2000, cited by Adhikari, 2001), covering about 30 percent of the total cultivated land and nearly 27 percent of the total cereal production (Manandhar and Shrestha, 2000). Of the total production, about 80 percent is grown in the hills, where mid- and low-hill regions cover over 70 percent. In the eastern hills, the total area under maize is 153,080 ha and the production is 252,534 tones, with an average yield of 1605 kg/ha. It shows that the productivity of maize in the eastern hi11s is lower than the nationa1 average i.e. 1765 kg/ha (MOA, ABPSD, 1999/2000). A number of factors are responsible for the low yield of maize. The factors are technical, managerial, agro- climatic, socio-economic and others. The Pakhribas Agricultural Center (PAC) in the eastern hi11s has conducted research on maize since 1975 and developed technologies for the growers and extension agents. In spite of making several recommendations and using new approaches and programs for technology transfer/ dissemination, the agriculture technology adoption rate in the region continues to be low (Barakoti,2000,KC, 1993). Most recommendations made by workshops, meetings, seminars, working groups are not properly implemented. Moreover, recommended technologies are not adopted satisfactorily at the farm and household level. The major and minor factors/ constraints limiting technology adoption/ adaptation have been the main concern of researchers and extension workers. The farmers' perception on varieties and other technologies of maize need to be identified. An impact study carried out by MASDAR (1995) identified that the better-off families of accessible areas most1y Brahman and Chhetri had adopted the recommended technologies to a greater degree compared to poor and other ethnic groups in the eastern hi1ls. This study was aimed at identifying and discussing the reasons for low adoption of technologies in maize production. This paper highlights the factors limiting agricultural technology adoption in the eastern hills, in general, and the technical situation and farmers' perceptions on maize in particular.
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Book CIMMYT Knowledge Center: John Woolston Library CIMMYT Publications Collection 631.536 RAJ (Browse shelf(Opens below)) 1 Available 1N631641
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Maize (Zea mays L.) is the second most important crop of Nepal after rice for food and feed. It was grown on 819,010 ha and produced 1,445,450 tons (MOAC, ABPSD, 1999/2000, cited by Adhikari, 2001), covering about 30 percent of the total cultivated land and nearly 27 percent of the total cereal production (Manandhar and Shrestha, 2000). Of the total production, about 80 percent is grown in the hills, where mid- and low-hill regions cover over 70 percent. In the eastern hills, the total area under maize is 153,080 ha and the production is 252,534 tones, with an average yield of 1605 kg/ha. It shows that the productivity of maize in the eastern hi11s is lower than the nationa1 average i.e. 1765 kg/ha (MOA, ABPSD, 1999/2000). A number of factors are responsible for the low yield of maize. The factors are technical, managerial, agro- climatic, socio-economic and others. The Pakhribas Agricultural Center (PAC) in the eastern hi11s has conducted research on maize since 1975 and developed technologies for the growers and extension agents. In spite of making several recommendations and using new approaches and programs for technology transfer/ dissemination, the agriculture technology adoption rate in the region continues to be low (Barakoti,2000,KC, 1993). Most recommendations made by workshops, meetings, seminars, working groups are not properly implemented. Moreover, recommended technologies are not adopted satisfactorily at the farm and household level. The major and minor factors/ constraints limiting technology adoption/ adaptation have been the main concern of researchers and extension workers. The farmers' perception on varieties and other technologies of maize need to be identified. An impact study carried out by MASDAR (1995) identified that the better-off families of accessible areas most1y Brahman and Chhetri had adopted the recommended technologies to a greater degree compared to poor and other ethnic groups in the eastern hi1ls. This study was aimed at identifying and discussing the reasons for low adoption of technologies in maize production. This paper highlights the factors limiting agricultural technology adoption in the eastern hills, in general, and the technical situation and farmers' perceptions on maize in particular.

English

0304|AGRIS 0201|AL-Economics Program|R01PROCE

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection


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