Enhancing Production Efficiency and Farmers’ Income through Climate Resilient Technologies

The present study has evaluated the effect of climate resilient technologies on the production efficiency of rice and wheat crops in Punjab based on primary data collected from 200 farmers from different agro-climatic zones of state. The study has revealed that laser leveller and change of crop variety are the most important adaptations in response to climatic variability, which was adopted by 67.5 and 67.0 per cent of total adoption respectively. In adaptation strategies for paddy cultivation, the variable cost per ha was less in direct seeded rice ( 28417) as compared to non-adopters ( 36816), thereby resulting in a cost saving of 30 per cent. The adoption of zero till wheat provides a saving of 5 per cent as compared to non-adopter. Data envelopment analysis was employed to work out technical efficiencies of paddy and wheat cultivation among the adopters and non-adopters. The adopters of the climate resilient technologies have been found more efficient than non-adopters. The lack of knowledge about technology, lack of access to credit and low capacity of farmers were the most important constraints in adoption of climate resilient technologies. The study has suggested that regular and more effective extension services about technology should be delivered to the farmers to make farming a profitable venture.