Constraints in adoption of in-situ paddy straw management technologies in Punjab agriculture

In-situ straw management is a practice of conserving the crop residue into the soil by retention or incorporation rather than burning it. The study was conducted among purposively selected 120 farmers from Moga and Ferozepur districts of Punjab to analyse constraints faced by them in adopting in-situ paddy straw management technologies i.e., Happy seeder, Super seeder and MB plough. Study revealed that difficulty in sowing of wheat crop, poor seed germination and higher rodent attack were the major technological constraints faced by the farmers. In financial constraints, high cost of machines and lesser amount of subsidy was faced by 80.00 per cent of farmers adopting super seeder whereas 77.50 percent respondents reported difficulty in availing it. Increase in sowing cost was also reported by farmers adopting MB plough technology (90.00%). General constraints like lower yield in the initial years, requirement of high horse power tractors and, non-availability of machines at peak time and untimely rains were also posing hindrances in adoption of in-situ straw management technologies. Understanding of the different technological, financial and general constraints faced by farmers may help in formulating suitable farming policies to check the paddy straw burning.