Extent of Adoption of Recommended Doses of Fertilizers in Wheat in Madhya Pradesh: An Economic Analysis

This study has attempted to find the extent of adoption of recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) by wheat growers in the Hoshangabad and Vidisha districts of Madhya Pradesh. The study has revealed a massive gap between the recommended dose and actual application of fertilizers by the farmers. Only 50 per cent soil-tested farmers have been found applying the recommended doses of fertilizer, of which very few (41.9%) have shown willingness to continue the recommended doses of fertilizer in future also. The majority of marginal farmers have been found applying the recommended doses of fertilizers more efficiently as compared to other farmers. The major constraints to adoption of recommended doses of fertilizer in wheat are (i) non-availability of soil testing report in time, (ii) difficulties in understanding and following the recommended dose, (iii) lack of technical advice on method and time of fertilizer application, (iv) high price of fertilizers, (v) non-availability of recommended fertilizers in the local market. The study has suggested that supply of recommended fertilizers should be ensured by the state government in the market, and the new nutrient-based subsidy policy should be a component of agricultural extension services along with environmental education and awareness generation among the farmers of the state.