Scenario analysis of rice cultivation in Palakkad district

Abstract

The present study entitled Scenario Analysis of Rice Cultivation in Palakkad district’ was conducted in four blocks of Palakkad district with objectives : to assess changing trends in rice cultivation in Palakkad district, delineation of factors leading to shifting of rice cultivation, attitude of farmers towards rice cultivation, perception of farmers on governmental interventions, major constraints experienced by the farmers and finally to suggest a comprehensive strategy for revival of paddy cultivation in the district. The study was carried out in four blocks of Palakkad district, namely Alathur, Nenmara, Pattambi and Malambuzha. Thirty farmers were selected from each of these four blocks making a sample of 120 respondents. Data was collected by interviewing the respondents personally with the help of pre – tested and well-structured interview schedule. The data collected were processed, coded and tabulated with the help of different statistical tools. The salient findings of the study are as follows: On analysis of data it was found that the area under paddy cultivation significantly reduced in the past years. Rice was cultivated in an area of 1.45 ha in 1990 and it declined to 0.83 ha by the year 2016. At present area under rice cultivation in the district is 42 per cent (83,998 ha) of the total area in the state. The productivity of rice increased from 1845 Kg/ha in 1970 to 2728Kg/ha by the year 2016. The findings of the study indicate that majority of the respondents were old aged with sufficient farming experience, with agriculture as their primary occupation. Majority of them possessed primary to high school level of education, and none of them were illiterate. Farmers in high productive blocks had more extension agency contact and extension participation compared to the farmers in low productive block. Analysis of the perception of farmers on various governmental interventions to revive rice cultivation shows that, most of them were useful. Production bonus for rice and operational support for Padasekhara samithi were found to be extremely useful. The farmer’s attitude towards rice cultivation is an important element in sustaining rice cultivation. In this study, majority of farmers belonged to medium attitude category in both high productive block (68.33 per cent) and low productive block (85 per cent). Perception and attitude of farmers towards rice cultivation were positively and significantly correlated with extension agency contact, extension participation, economic motivation, innovation proneness, market orientation and credit orientation. There are many reasons which force the farmers to stop rice cultivation. These are grouped into four categories namely, technological reasons, economic reasons, social/ecological reasons and political reasons. Unavailability and high cost of labour, irresponsibility of Government in Paddy procurement and lack of reasonable support price, fluctuating price and marketing problem, uneven rainfall pattern and changing climate, less access to enough irrigation water etc. were the important constraints identified in this study. The suggestions put forth by the farmers were, to increase the minimum support price of rice, facilitate better water management system, spread the idea of green army to more areas and make available timely supply of good quality seed and at reasonable prices. The study therefore revealed that, to revive the current scenario of rice cultivation in the district a comprehensive strategy is needed focusing on area expansion, productivity enhancement, and to augment income from rice based farming, better irrigation and water management system and greater investment in research and extension in order to meet the upcoming challenges.