Adoption Behavior of Farmers in Changing Cropping Pattern for Sustainable Farming in Punjab

The study has analysed the prospects of maize cultivation for sustainable agriculture in Punjab, based on the primary and secondary data collected from 80 farmers of all categories, from Hoshiarpur and Nawan Shahar districts of Punjab. The study has examined the economics of summer as well as winter maize and adoption behaviour of the farmers and their perception about the adoption of maize crop. Adoption of maize crop is a viable alternative to save the resources up to some extent. The study has observed that cultivation of summer maize and winter maize is remunerative and farmers should be made aware of this fact. However, the large gap in yield levels on different categories of farmers needs to be reduced using appropriate measures. The factors influencing adoption of maize hybrid crop have been identified using logistic regression model. The study has revealed that large farm-size, low irrigation capacity, extension contacts and availability of hybrid-seed favour the maize crop in cropping pattern of sample farmers. Based on the farmers’ perceptions regarding adoption of maize crop, following aspects need attention: (a) availability of input material at reasonable prices, (b) more demonstration/extension efforts, (c) better access to input services, (d) inclusion of all section of farmers, (e) access to timely market information, (f) minimum support price, and (g) development of backward and forward linkages within feed industry so as to boost the cultivation of maize.