Adoption of new agricultural technology by the badaga tribal farmers of Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract:

The present study was conducted to assess the adoption of new agricultural technology by the Badaga tribal farming community of Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu. A descriptive research design was employed with a total sample of 120 respondents selected from the study area. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule, and adoption was measured across ten technology domains on a three-point scale (fully adopted, partially adopted, not adopted). The findings revealed that adoption was highest for micro-irrigation systems (85.83% full adoption), improved/recommended crop varieties (83.33%) and modern farm tools or machinery (81.67%), while integrated nutrient management (2.50%), mobile phone/ICT tools (5.83%) and weather-forecast information (6.67%) recorded the lowest full adoption. Overall, 46.67 per cent of respondents recorded a low level of technology adoption, 35.83 per cent a medium level, and only 17.50 per cent a high level, with a mean adoption score of 18.26. Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient showed that social participation, land holding, risk bearing ability, farming experience, and mass media exposure were positively and highly significantly associated with adoption at the 1% level, while age was significant at the 5% level. Education, occupation, annual income and family size showed no significant association with adoption.