Determinants and Constraints of Modern Varieties of Paddy Adoption by Marginal and Small Farmers in Odisha: A Tobit Analysis

The paper has analysed adoption of modern varieties (MVs) of paddy by marginal and small farmers in the irrigated as well as the rainfed ecosystems of agriculture of Odisha. The study has revealed that farmers are better adopters and the intensity of adoption is higher in the irrigated than in the rainfed region. The specific factors influencing the adoption behaviour as well as the intensity of use have found to vary from one type of agriculture to another. The specific factors like farm size, education, tenancy, occupation and health status influence the adoption behaviour in the irrigated region, while age, soil quality, land position and perception about rainfall along with health status determine the adoption of modern varieties of paddy. The various constraints of MV adoption have been examined and these are more of economic and institutional in nature. The study has listed some policy implications also.