Trends in Biosciences 11(36), Print : ISSN 0974-8431, 00-00, 2018
Problems Faced by the Farm Families in Adoption of Rice-Maize Cropping
System
LOKESH AHIRWAR, M. A. KHAN, M. L. SHARMA, SUNIL NARBARIA
Department of Agricultural Extension, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidhayalya,
Krishak Nagar, Jora Raipur, Chhattisgarh
email. arunahriwar1@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Rice-Maize systems currently occupy approx. 3.5 million
hectares in Asia. Excluding Pakistan, area under Rice-
Maize systems is 1.31 million hectares in South Asia.
The highest acreage is in India followed by Nepal. These
crops are grown in sequence on the same land in the same
year either in double or triple crop systems to meet the
rice demand of a rapidly expanding human population and
maize demand of livestock and poultry. The present study
was investigating the various problems faced by the farm
families in adoption of rice-maize cropping system in Durg
district of Chhattisgarh state. Data were collected from
rice-maize grower families that were selected randomly
from each selected 12 villages to make a sample size of
120 rice-maize farm families, with the help of pre-tested
interview schedule. The result of study showed that by
farm families during rice-maize cultivation. About 87.5
per cent of the respondents faced the problem of rodents
and wild animals (wild pigs, monkey etc.) in adoption of
rice-maize cropping system. About 95.83 per cent of the
respondents suggested that the problems of wild animals
(wild pig and monkey) should be solved.
Keywords Rice-maize cropping system, Constraints;
Socio-economic status;
Rice, wheat and maize are the major crops of India.
Rice-based cropping systems, with wheat or maize as a
secondary crop, are predominant in India. Rice is the
principal crop of Chhattisgarh. Other major crops are maize,
coarse grains, maize, groundnut, pulses and oilseeds. The
total cultivable land of Chhattisgarh is 46.77 lakh ha. The
area under the kharif and rabi crops are respectively 48.04
lakh ha and 19.67 lakh ha. The major cropping system of
Chhattisgarh is rice-lathyrus, rice-chickpea/lentil, rice-wheat
and rice-maize etc. The present study is planned to assess
the rice-maize cropping system for socio-economic
upliftment of farm families with the following specific
objectives:
1. To find out the constraints faced by farmers while
adopting rice-maize technology interventions.
2. To obtain the suggestion from farmers for increasing
the productivity of rice-maize cropping system.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study was undertaken in Durg district of
Chhattisgarh state during 2016-17. All three blocks Patan,
Dhamdha and Durg were selected purposively on the basis
of maximum prevailed area of rice-maize cropping system.
From each selected block, 4 villages (Total 4 X 3 = 12) were
selected purposively on the basis of area under rice-maize
cropping system. Thus, total 12 villages were selected for
the study. Ten representative farmers of rice-maize cropping
system were randomly selected as a respondent from each
selected village. In this way, total of 120 farmers (10 X 12 =
120). The data were collected by personal interview with
the help of well prepared, structured and pretested interview
schedule. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution,
percentages, and correlation coefficient.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
In rice-maize cropping system there are many factors
that affect rice and maize cultivation. The constraints faced
by respondents in adoption of rice-maize production
technology are shown in these tables.
The findings on various problem faced in rice-maize
cropping system are presented in table 1. The findings
indicates that majority of the respondents (87.5%) reported
that problem of rodents and wild animals (wild pigs, monkey
etc.) was the major constraint in adoption of rice-maize
cropping system, followed by 84.17 per cent of the
respondents had less contact to extension officer, 69.17
per cent of them faced lack of specific machine for maize
cultivation, 66.67 per cent of them faced non availability of
information in proper time, 63.33 per cent of them faced
high interest rate from Kissan Credit Card (KCC) after due
month.
About 60.83 per cent of them had lack of training,
52.50 per cent of them faced non availability of agricultural
inputs (seed and fertilizer etc.), 35.83 per cent of them faced
interrupted electricity supply, 32.50 per cent of them faced
high cost of inputs, 26.16 per cent of them faced high cost
of labour, and 11.66 per cent of them faced poor labour
availability.
The findings regarding suggestions given by the
respondents are compiled in table 2. The data indicate that
the majority of respondents (95.83%) suggested that the
problems of wild animals (wild pig and monkey) should be
solved, 93.33 per cent of the respondents suggested that
support price of rice should be increased, 82.50 per cent of
them suggested that inputs like improved seeds, fertilizer,
pesticides etc should be made available at subsidized rate
2 Trends in Biosciences 11 (36), 2018

Table 1. Distribution of respondents according to problem faced by them in adoption of rice-maize cropping system

S. No. Constraints Frequency Percentage Rank

1 Poor labour availability 14 11.66 XI

2 High cost of inputs 39 32.50 IX

3 Interrupted electricity supply 43 35.83 VIII

4 High cost of labour 35 26.16 X

5 Lack of specific machine for maize cultivation 83 69.17 III

6 High interest rate from Kissan Credit Card (KCC) after due month 76 63.33 V

7 Lack of training 73 60.83 VI

8 Non availability of information in proper time 80 66.67 IV

9 Less contact to extension officer 101 84.17 II

10 Non availability of agricultural inputs (Seed and Fertilizer etc.) 63 52.50 VII
11 Problem of rodents and wild animals (wild pigs, monkey etc.) 105 87.5 I

*Data are based on multiple responses

on proper time in the village, 72.50 per cent of them
suggested that extension agent and agency should convey
the right information at right time, 65 per cent of them
suggested that trained labour should be available on low
wage cost, 82.50 per cent of them suggested that, 58.33 per
cent of them suggested that proper land preparation should
be done in maize crop, 57.50 per cent of them suggested
that inundation should be avoided in the maize crop, 52.50
per cent of them suggested that monitoring of subsidized
seeds, fertilizer, pesticides and scheme should be done,
51.66 per cent of them suggested that electricity problem
should be solved, 45.8 per cent of them suggested that
water can be saved by growing maize in rabi season, 38.33
per cent of them suggested that proper and regular training
should be organized on rice and maize production
technologies and 33.50 per cent of them suggested that
rice area can be increased three fold by growing rice in rabi
season.

Table 2. Distribution of respondents according to suggestions given to overcome problems and for increasing the
productivity of rice-maize cropping system

S N. Suggestions Frequency Percentage Rank

1 Electricity problem should be solved 62 51.66 IX
2 Minimum support price of rice should be increased 112 93.33 II
3 Inputs like improved seeds, fertilizer, pesticides etc should 99 82.50 III
be made available at subsidized rate on proper time in the
village
4 Problems of wild animals (wild pig and monkey) should be 115 95.83 I
solved
5 Trained labour should be available on low wage cost 78 65.00 V
6 Proper and regular training should be organized on rice and 46 38.33 XI
maize production technologies
7 Monitoring of subsidized seeds, fertilizer, pesticides and 63 52.50 VIII
schemes should be done
8 Extension agents and agencies should convey the right 87 72.50 IV
information at right time
9 Water can be saved by growing maize in rabi season 55 45.83 X
10 Inundation should be avoided in the maize crop 69 57.50 VII
11 Proper land preparation should be done in maize crop 70 58.33 VI
12 Rice area can be increased three fold by growing rice in rabi 40 33.33 XII
season

*Data are based on multiple responses

 AHIRWAR et al., Problems Faced by the Farm Families in Adoption of Rice-Maize Cropping System
CONCLUSION
The study reveals that majority of the respondents
faced the problem of rodents and wild animals (wild pigs,
monkey etc.) in adoption of recommended rice-maize
production technology. About 84.17 per cent of the
respondents of them faced less contact to extension officer.
And about 69.17 per cent of the respondents of them faced
lack of specific machine for maize cultivation
Most of the respondents suggested that majority of
the respondents (95.83%) suggested that the problems of
wild animals (wild pig and monkey) should be solved.
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Received on 07-09-2018 Accepted on 15-09-2018