Adoption and impact of zero tillage in the rice-wheat production system of Haryana

Abstract

Zero Tillage (ZT) has been considered as a proven technology to increase the farm income, but its adoption in the semi-arid part of western India is still uncertain. This paper examines the ZT diffusion pattern (including the reasons for non- and disadoption and constraints in adoption of the technology) and estimates the farm-level impacts of the ZT technology. The most pronounced impact of ZT is at the cost-saving compartment. However, since ZT wheat farmers could sow the crop much earlier than their conventional counterparts results in gaining 8 percent increase in yield. Determinants of adoption were attempted employing a multinomial logit model. Ownership of ZT drill, cropping pattern and household factors were influencing ZT adoption. Although a number of constraints for continuous adoption of ZT, including uncongenial field situation (excess moisture, undulated plots, small landholding etc.) and difficulty to manage previous/kharif crop (pearl millet, cotton) residues. The ZT technology was also found to be effective in reducing the farmer dependency on external inputs and ensures sustainable production of wheat.