Comparison of Knowledge and Reasons for Adoption of Super Seeder among Farmers: A Sociological Study of Haryana, India

The Super Seeder is an important crop residue management technology promoted to address the problem of paddy residue burning in Haryana. The present study examined the knowledge level and reasons for adoption and non-adoption of the Super Seeder among farmers in the Sirsa district of Haryana. A sample of 120 farmers, comprising 60 adopters and 60 non-adopters, was selected for the study. Data were collected through an interview schedule and analysed using appropriate statistical tools. The findings revealed that adopters possessed significantly higher knowledge than non-adopters, and education, landholding size, income, social participation, mass media exposure, and socio-economic status were significantly associated with knowledge level. Major reasons for adoption included single-pass operation, timely sowing, and cost and labour savings, while high power requirement, machine choking, high cost, and lack of technical knowledge were the key reasons for non-adoption. The study emphasises the need for strengthening extension services and capacity-building initiatives to promote wider adoption of the Super Seeder in Haryana.