Observation on Socio-Economic Impacts of Drought Tolerant and Short Duration Cultivars of Maizeto Marginal Landholders of Rain-Fed Hamirpur Region in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Small scale farming dominates the agricultural land-scape of India. More than 80 per cent in India are marginal and smallholders having less than two ha farm size. Therefore, marginal and small farmers constitute a key group requiring attention in agriculture to increase their productivity and income for reducing hunger and poverty in India. On the basis of socio-economic impact of climatic resilient drought tolerant and short duration cultivars of Maize, research is to be designed to achieve it by primary and secondary data. Here in the study primary data was collected from structural questionnaire which has been framed with the help of expert suggestions, existing literature and concerned thesis on this topic. Mostly, questionnaire was framed on Likert-Scale, which has 5-point satisfaction level. Potential for adoption of drought tolerant and pest resistant cultivars of Wheat have been assessed on point scales for variables. This data have been collected through interview, observation, pilot survey and questionnaire. The impact assessment was done using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. They also faced a big challenge to cope with vulnerability of local varieties of Maize. The major themes under Climatic resilient Crop production technologies identified were enhanced crop yield and promote drought tolerant and short duration cultivars of Maize. The whole questionnaire was divided into independent variables viz; block, sex, caste, level of education, source of irrigation and land holding particulars. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage, correlation, standard deviation, mean). For analysis of data, budgeting techniques and cost concepts (fixed cost, variable cost and total cost) and economic efficiency measures viz., Benefit-Cost Ratio, Net present value were used. Economics to be worked out based upon total cost of production per unit area and not on critical inputs alone. The results on the profile characteristics of the smart and non smart farmers are given in tables at appropriate place. Socio-economic impact of climate change implies the effect of recent changes in the climatic parameter on the livelihood of farmers. Hence, there is an increase in crop sowing area as well as improving economy of smart farmers. Thus, there is an upliftment of socio-economic status of smart farmers rather than non smart farmers of Nadaun and Bhoranj blocks of rain-fed Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh.

Analysis of growth indices of seven mothbean genotypes as affected by supplemental irrigation under water limiting environment

“…Climate change has worsened drought in drier areas due to increase in temperature and erratic rainfall patterns (Overpeck and Udall, 2020) [21] . Drought leads to reduction in biomass production which results in quantitative and qualitative yield losses, especially in rainfed agriculture system (Kumar and Chander, 2020) [18] . Rainfed agriculture system is mainly adopted in mothbean cultivation in arid regions of Rajasthan which is highly affected by the unpredictable and less rainfall in the region.…”