Discriminate Analysis on Adoption of Drought Tolerant Rice Varieties in Kolar District of Karnataka

Karnataka has the second largest area under rain fed agriculture after Rajasthan in the country and agriculture dependent economy with the large share of rain fed areas makes it reliant on monsoon. The need for improving water management is probably most acute in rain fed agriculture. Drought is a common phenomenon in this State. 56 per cent of the rice grown in the state is rain fed while the rest is irrigated. However, loss of traditional varieties of rice and disrespect of farmer knowledge and oral wisdom of age-old practices is a problem every where, Drought stress is the major limiting factor for rice production and yield stability under rain fed rice system, which may lead to yield loss of 25 to 100 per cent. This study focussed on identification of major Socio economic factors determining the adoption of drought tolerant rice varieties in order to assess the impact of adoption of drought tolerance rice varieties on productivity and household income of formers, Results of Discriminate analysis showed that farming experience, level of education, access to extension service and price of output positively and significantly influence adoption of drought tolerant rice varieties.