Impact of zero tillage maize production on yield, income, and resource utilization in peninsular India: an action-based quasi-experimental research

Abstract

PurposeThe present study aims to identify the crucial determinants of the adoption of zero-tillage (ZT) technology in maize production in peninsular India. The study also measures the impact of ZT adoption on maize yield, income generation, and the expenses associated with different agricultural operations.MethodologyThe study used multi-stage stratified random sampling and conducted a face-to-face questionnaire survey to collect primary data from 1,189 maize farmers. Initially, the study employed probit regression analysis to identify the ZT adoption determinants. Subsequently, using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach, the study measures the impact of ZT adoption over conventional tillage in terms of yield, income, and cost management. Finally, the Endogenous Switch Regression (ESR) method was implemented to mitigate unobserved heterogeneity and sample selection bias. Additionally, ESR assessed the robustness of PSM results.FindingsThe probit model identifies that variables like education, institutional credit adoption, crop insurance, visit of extension agent, landholding size, and prior experience of new technology adoption positively influence ZT adoption. The PSM and ESR approach results suggest that ZT adoption positively impacts farmers’ yield and net income while reducing cultivation costs and labor use. Results show that ZT adoption decreases the cost of land preparation, weed, pest management, and harvesting by INR 2708 acre−1, INR 167 acre−1, and INR 649 acre−1, respectively, thereby decreasing the overall cultivation cost by INR 8376 acre−1. However, seed and seed treatment costs and irrigation costs improve by INR 108 acre−1 and 176 acre−1 due to the adoption of ZT in maize cultivation. Moreover, ZT improves maize yield by 2.53 quintal acre−1 and minimises 9.56 person-days acre−1. ESR results suggest that the net return from maize cultivation is 26.1% higher for ZT adopters than conventional farmers. Additionally, ZT adopters can save 8.23 man-days acre−1, providing additional monetary benefits of INR 3259 acre−1 compared to ZT non-adopters.Practical implicationsThe study findings may support policymakers in designing suitable agricultural policies to improve technology adoption and motivate small and marginal maize farmers for sustainable production.