Farmers Perception towards the Technology Adoption in Attaining Optimal Productivity_ An Empirical Analysis Among the Paddy Farmers of Tenali Division_ Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Andhra Pradesh produces an average 130 lakhs tonnes of paddy every year. According to the official statistics, the production of paddy in the state is estimated at 134.15 lakh metric tonnes in 2020-21 as agains 137.10 lakh metric tonnes in 2019-20. The area under paddy in Rabi 2020-21 in Andhra Pradesh was 16.90 lakh hectares agains 15.26 lakh hectares in 2019-20 which is reporting an increase of 10.7 percent. However, the productivity of paddy in Rabi 2020-21 was 71.37 lakh tonnes compare to 80.13 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 resultants of 6.1 percent of increase. The production under paddy in Kharif 2020-21 was 61.89 lakh tonnes against 56.97 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 evidenced an increase of 8.6 percent. Andhra Pradesh alone produced 34,49,067 metric tonnes of paddy with a value of Rs 6,286 crore from 2.22 lakh farmers in 2019-20. Similarly, in Rabi of 2020-21 a quantity of 47,49,844 metric tonnes of paddy which worth of Rs 8,900 crore from 5.18 lakh farmers. Though there is increase in the production, when compared to the extent of land the paddy production is still less and to be investigate more on this research problem. Andhra Pradesh is the seventh largest state in India accounting for 5 and 4.5per cent of the country s area and population, respectively. In A.P rice productivity is 3333 kg/ha compared to 2001 kg/ha (India) and 4112 kg/ha (world). Rice productivity is highest in Nellore district (4473kg/ha) followed by East Godavari (4028 kg/ha), Guntur (3239 kg/ha), West Godavari (3928 kg/ha), and lowest in Vishakhapatnam (2075 kg/ha). newlineThe current study is intended to address the farmers perceptions towards the technology adoption in the paddy farming. Every stage in the paddy farming such as, primary tillage, secondary tillage, plantation, inter-cultural operations, harvesting and threshing and the different equipment used in the concerned stages are considered for the study. The researcher analyzed the farmers perceptions towards each equipment in every stage of paddy farming is presented in this thesis.