Factors determining adoption of bhoochetana scheme by farmers in rainfed agriculture of Karnataka: A probit analysis

The government of Karnataka has, over the decades, intervened in agriculture production through schemesto enhance the productivity of farm activities, sustainability and food security to increase the socio-economic standards of farmers. One of such efforts is the Bhoochetana scheme through which micronutrients are supplied to farmers to enhance the fertility of the soil to ensure productivity of farm land. This study, therefore, sought to examine the extent and factors that influenced the adoption of the Bhoochetana scheme by farmers in Kalaburagi district of Karnataka, which is one of the major rainfed district having 9,74,000 hectares of area under rainfed agriculture in the state. Data was obtained randomly from a sample of 120 farmers consisting of 60 Bhoochetana beneficiaries and equal number of non-beneficiaries using a well-structured schedule which was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Probit model. The results of the econometric model revealed that the probability of application of Bhoochetana inputs increases significantly with an increase in education-level, access to credit and extension services but decreases with the age of farmers. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the Bhoochetana scheme should be widely publicized by the government to promote adoption. Along with, extension services must be enhanced to ensure that all farmers get appropriate and sufficient information on improved production practices and new innovations in agriculture in order to improve the productivity of rainfed agriculture in the state.

• Young farmers had higher affinity towards Bhoochetana adoption.

• Education level, access to farm credit and extension contact have influenced adoption of Bhoochetana scheme.