Determinants of farmers' access to extension services and adoption of technical inputs: Evidence from india

Abstract

This paper examines the determinants of farmers' access to agricultural extension services and adoption of technical inputs. It also attempts to identify what works best for Indian agriculture. Based upon all-India unit-level data of 35,200 farming households surveyed by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) under the 70th round in 2013, it applies the binary logistic regression model. The study underlines that the 'Access' to agricultural extension services does not guarantee 'Adoption' of the technologies or better farm practices, as all the variables emerging as significant in case of 'Access' do not emerge as significant for 'Adoption'. The study finds the strong influence of personal and household characteristics on both 'Access' and 'Adoption'. However, socioeconomic and technology variables such as caste, gender, religion, and usage of ICT are found to be important for 'Access' but not for the 'Adoption'. The paper underlines that physical forms of extension services are far more important than the modern ICT driven services in the developing countries like India. It, therefore, recommends significant strengthening of these services with more generous government support.