Knowledge and Adoption Level of Improved Sorghum Practices in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.62310Keywords:
Knowledge, Adoption, Sorghum, Technology, Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh.Abstract
Productivity of sorghum in Bundelkhand remained constraints due to lower adoption of recommended practices. The data were collected for this study during February to April 2024 to assess the knowledge and adoption levels of farmers towards improved sorghum production technologies and to identify their determinants. An ex-post facto research design was followed in two purposively selected districts of Uttar Pradesh. A total of 200 sorghum growers were selected through multistage sampling, and data were collected using a semi structured and pre-tested interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The results revealed that seed rate and sowing time recorded the highest knowledge and adoption scores, whereas crop protection and seed treatment showed the lowest adoption levels. A majority of respondents possessed medium knowledge, but overall adoption still low, indicating a clear knowledge adoption gap. Education, landholding, annual income, attitude, and knowledge score significantly influenced adoption behavior. The study concluded that socio-economic resources and psychological factors played a decisive role in enhancing adoption of improved sorghum technologies. The study revealed a significant knowledge–adoption gap, with input constraints and climatic factors emerging as the major barriers to the adoption of improved sorghum production practices.
Downloads
References
Amrutha, T., Chandrakanth, M. G., Chikkathimme Gowda, H. R., Mohanty, A. K., Bordoloi, R., Singha, A. K., & Biam, K. P. (2024). Dietary pattern and nutritional status of households consuming small millets in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 60(1), 30–34. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2024.60106
Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University. (2023). Sorghum outlook report 2023–24. https://angrau.ac.in/downloads/AMIC/OutlookReports/2023_24/sorghum%20outlook-June-july2023-24.pdf
Aryal, J. P., Rahut, D. B., Maharjan, S., & Erenstein, O. (2019). Understanding factors associated with agricultural mechanization: A Bangladesh case. World Development Perspectives, 13, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2019.02.002
Asfaw, S., Shiferaw, B., Simtowe, F., & Lipper, L. (2012). Impact of modern agricultural technologies on smallholder welfare: Evidence from Tanzania and Ethiopia. Food Policy, 37(3), 283–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2012.02.013
Bhagat, G. R., Nain, M. S., & Kher, S. K. (2002). Knowledge and adoption of wheat technology in Jammu. Journal of Research, SKUAST-Jammu, 1(2), 192–196.
Deressa, T. T., Hassan, R. M., Ringler, C., Alemu, T., & Yesuf, M. (2009). Determinants of farmers’ choice of adaptation methods to climate change in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. Global Environmental Change, 19(2), 248–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.01.002
Doss, C. R. (2006). Analyzing technology adoption using microstudies: Limitations, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Agricultural Economics, 34(3), 207–219. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0864.2006.00119.x
Gupta, B. K., Dwivedi, S. V., Mishra, B. P., Mishra, D., Ojha, P. K., Verma, A. P., & Kalia, A. (2021). Adoption gap analysis in tomato cultivation in Banda District of Bundelkhand (U.P.). Indian Journal of Extension Education, 57(4), 126–130. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2021.57434
Harish, M. S., Bhuker, A., & Chauhan, B. S. (2024). Millet production, challenges, and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region: A comprehensive review. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, Article 1386469. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1386469
Jat, M. L., Jaiswal, D., & Saharawat, Y. (2022). Extent of knowledge and adoption of recommended wheat production practices among wheat growers in Malwa Region (M.P.). Indian Journal of Extension Education, 58(1), 40–43. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2022.58109
Just, R. E., & Zilberman, D. (1988). The effects of agricultural development policies on income distribution and technological change in agriculture. Journal of Development Economics, 28(2), 193–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3878(88)90058-2
Kardak, V. N., Kashid, N. V., Kamble, M. S., & Kardak, S. N. (2006). Knowledge and adoption of sorghum production technology by the farmers of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Agricultural Science Digest, 26(2), 149–150.
Khanal, U., Wilson, C., Hoang, V.-N., & Lee, B. (2018). Farmers’ adaptation to climate change, its determinants and impacts on rice yield in Nepal. Ecological Economics, 144, 139–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.08.006
Kumar, A., Ojha, P. K., Mishra, D., Mishra, B. P., Kalia, A., Shukla, G., Verma, A. P., Gupta, B. K., Ojha, P., & Singh, G. (2025). Assessing knowledge and adoption of millets cultivation practices in the Bundelkhand region, India: A study of farmer perspectives. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 47(6), 471–476. https://doi.org/10.9734/JEAI/2025/v47i63507
Kumar, A., Singh, R., & Kumar, S. (2020). Adoption level of modern sorghum production technology in Haryana. Forage Research, 45(4), 243–245.
Maurya, N., Mishra, D., Mishra, B. P., Rai, R. K., Ojha, P. K., Verma, A. P., Gupta, B. K., Chandra, U., & Pathak, D. K. (2024). Construction of knowledge test to measure the knowledge level of the millet farmers of Bundelkhand region, Uttar Pradesh, India. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 42(10), 163–173. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJAEES/2024/v42i102572
Mutuku, K. V., Speelman, S., Orinda, M., Olweny, C., & D’Haese, M. (2025). What do we know, and what are we missing from sorghum adoption studies in sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping review. Agriculture & Food Security, 14(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-025-00566-9
Nain, M. S., & Bhagat, G. R. (2005). Farmers’ training on trench vegetable production technology vis-à-vis knowledge and adoption level in the trans-Himalayan region. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education, 5(2), 56–58.
Nain, M. S., & Chandel, S. S. (2013). Knowledge vis-à-vis adoption of agri-horti system in Doda district of J&K State. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 49(1–2), 105–109.
Patel, M. R., Saini, H., & Patel, J. B. (2024). Technological gap among the farmers regarding recommended sorghum production technology. Gujarat Journal of Extension Education, 37(2), 58–67. https://doi.org/10.56572/GJOEE.2024.37.2.0011
Patil, S. D., Kharde, P. B., & Gaikwad, A. B. (2017). Profile of sorghum growers and its relationship with knowledge and adoption of Panchsutri technology. Gujarat Journal of Extension Education, 28(2), 402–407.
Raina, V., Nain, M. S., Hansra, B. S., & Khajuria, S. (2014). Knowledge and adoption level of flower cultivation in Jammu region. Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development, 9(1), 6–9.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Sah, U., Dixit, G. P., Kumar, H., Ojha, J., Katiyar, M., Singh, V., Dubey, S. K., & Singh, N. P. (2021). Performance of millets in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 57(4), 120–125. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2021.57426
Sandeep, V. M., Rao, V. U. M., Bapuji Rao, B., Bharathi, G., Pramod, V. P., Santhibhushan Chowdary, P., Patel, N. R., Mukesh, P., & Vijaya Kumar, P. (2018). Impact of climate change on sorghum productivity in India and its adaptation strategies. Journal of Agrometeorology, 20(2), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.54386/jam.v20i2.517
Senyolo, M. P., Long, T. B., Blok, V., Omta, O., & van der Velde, G. (2021). Smallholder adoption of technology: Evidence from the context of climate-smart agriculture in South Africa. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 13(2), 156–173. https://doi.org/10.5897/JDAE2020.1191
Singh, G. (2015). Agricultural mechanisation development in India. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 70(1), 64–82. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.229967
Singh, S., Yadav, R. N., Tripathi, A. K., Kumar, M., Kumar, M., Yadav, S., Kumar, D., Kumar, S., & Yadav, R. (2023). Current status and promotional strategies of millets: A review. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change, 13(9), 3088–3095. https://doi.org/10.9734/IJECC/2023/v13i92551
Vattekkad, R., Jatav, S. S., Kunchu, P., Krishnankutty, M. V., & Krishnan, M. (2025). Determinants of consumer perceptions towards value-added millet products in Kerala, India. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(4), 96–100. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.61416
Veettil, P. C., Raghu, P. T., & Ashok, A. (2021). Information quality, adoption of climate-smart varieties and their economic impact in flood-risk areas. Environment and Development Economics, 26(1), 45–68. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355770X20000212
Yadav, R., Singh, L. B., Patel, A., Kumar, M., Kumar, M., Pandey, M. K., & Singh, S. (2023). A review on yield gap analysis of millets in India. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 35(18), 1800–1804. https://doi.org/10.9734/IJPSS/2023/v35i183462
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
