Adoption of Mechanical Transplanting of Rice (MTR) Among Rice Growers in the Rice-Zone of Punjab, Pakistan

We conducted this study to analyze the adoption of Mechanical Transplanting of Rice (MTR) in one of the prominent rice-producing districts Gujranwala of Punjab, Province. Rice has been a significant source of income in this area. A total of 220 rice growers, were selected using the non-probability method of selection from Wazirabad and Kamoki tehsils of district Gujranwala. Selected respondents were interviewed face to face on a structured questionnaire which was pre-tested and validated before final data collection. Collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results were distributed into three sections (i) demographic profile, (ii) relative advantage of MTR and (iii) constraints analysis. Demography unveiled that young age farmers had less inclination towards rice growing, although the majority of respondents had formal education, had ownership of their lands and farmers were irrigating rice crops using tube well. As for as relative advantage was concerned, MTR relatively produced a high extent in terms of effectiveness (X̅ = 4.04, SD=0.62) due to high efficiency, less labour intensive, and high yield. Mandatory use of lesser land levellers, maintenance issues of MTR, unskilled labour and inadequate training for the farmers were prominent consents aced by the MTR user. This study urges more technical backstopping from the concerned institutions to foster the adoption of MTR on the farm level.