Adoption of New Technology in Agriculture by Tribal and Non-Tribal Farmers : A Case Study of Barpeta District in Assam

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. A profile of agricultural development in Assam. 3. Spread of new agricultural technology (In Assam in general and Barpeta District in particular). 4. Adoption of new agricultural technology by non-tribal and tribal farmers in Barpeta District: a farm level analysis. 5. Factors and constraints affecting adoption of new agricultural technology. 6. Role of agricultural extension personnel in percolation of new technology. 7. Summary, conclusions and suggestions. Bibliography.

"In this study an attempt has been made to investigate into the determinants of adoption of new technology in agriculture by tribal and non-tribal farmers in Indian agrarian situation in general and the agricultural situation of Barpeta District of Assam in particular. There are a number of conditions, which must be met before a given agricultural technology can be accepted by the farmers. Some of these conditions are the result of physical environment but many others are the by products of the cultural background of the farmers. To make the adoption of agricultural technology possible one must understand the environmental framework in which the process of adoption operates. In the absence of such an understanding useful innovations will remain unutilized. There is, thus, a definite need in countries like India for conducting scientific enquiries that may lead to the better understanding of the process of adoption of new agricultural technology. The present research work is the result of the realization of such a need. The present investigation was conducted in a limited geographical area consisting of particular agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions of Barpeta District of Assam. Therefore, the findings emanating from the study may not be applicable in all types of agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions of India. Of course the findings of the present study would be applicable in Assam and elsewhere having similar agro-climatic and socio-economic condition, while the general conclusions arrived at may be of value in other spheres subject to local adjustments." (jacket)