Technological Gain in Sugarcane Cultivation through Contract Farming in Odisha

Contract farming, an agreement between farmers and processing firms for the production and supply of agricultural products under forward agreements, at predetermined prices. It also transfer technological knowledge and skills in a way that is profitable for both the contracting firms and contracted grows. This study was conducted in Dhenkanal and Nayagarh district of Odisha with a sample size of 90 contract sugarcane growers selected randomly from each selected districts aggregating 180 samples for the purpose of investigation. The study revealed that the contract sugarcane growers had deficiency on disease, pest and nutrient management. Low level of adoption was observed on use of implements, application of recommended dose of fertilizers, use of herbicides and management of ratoon crops. Socio-economic attributes such as education, social participation, extension contact, cosmopolitans, land holding had positive influence in increasing the knowledge level of the respondents. It was therefore, suggested that the contracting sugar industries should organize capacity building programmes to enrich the knowledge and adoption level of the sugarcane growers for quality production benefiting both the contracted farmers and contracting firms.