Knowledge and Adoption Level of Improved Sorghum Practices in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh

Shubham Singh; Raj Narayan Yadav; Rishabh Yadav; Mohit Kumar Pandey; Manoj Kumar; Chandra Shekhar Prajapati; Tanu Shree Maurya; Ayush  Kumar; Gyanendra Singh

doi:10.48165/IJEE.2026.62310

Authors

Shubham Singh Assistant Professor, IIMT University, Meerut https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8842-9874
R.N. Yadav Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut-250110
Rishabh Yadav Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut-250110
Mohit Kumar Pandey Project Associate-II, Centre for Aromatic Plants, Selaqui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248011.
Manoj Kumar Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, DDU University, Gorakhpur, U.P. 273009
Chandra Shekhar Prajapati Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, DDU University, Gorakhpur, U.P. 273009
Tanu Shree Maurya Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P.
Ayush Kumar Project Associate, Department of Agricultural Economics, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P
Gyanendra Singh Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P.

https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.62310

Keywords:

Knowledge, adoption, sorghum, technology, Bundelkhand

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.

Author Biographies

R.N. Yadav, Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut-250110

Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut-250110
Rishabh Yadav, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut-250110

Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Meerut-250110
Mohit Kumar Pandey, Project Associate-II, Centre for Aromatic Plants, Selaqui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248011.

Project Associate-II, Centre for Aromatic Plants, Selaqui, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248011.
Manoj Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, DDU University, Gorakhpur, U.P. 273009

Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, DDU University, Gorakhpur, U.P. 273009
Chandra Shekhar Prajapati, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, DDU University, Gorakhpur, U.P. 273009

Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, DDU University, Gorakhpur, U.P. 273009
Tanu Shree Maurya, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P.

Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P.
Ayush Kumar, Project Associate, Department of Agricultural Economics, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P

Project Associate, Department of Agricultural Economics, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P
Gyanendra Singh, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P.

Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension, Banda University of Agriculture and Technology Banda U.P.

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

Angrau. (2023). Sorghum outlook report 2023–24. Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University. https://angrau.ac.in/downloads/AMIC/OutlookReports/2023_24/sorghum%20outlook-June-july-2023-24.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):192-96.

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. and 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. http://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 vidharbha 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. and 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):163-73. 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 avis knowledge and adoption level in trans Himalayan Region. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education, 5(2), 56-58.

Nain M.S. & Chandel S.S. (2013). Knowledge vis a 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), 06-09.

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 UP State. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 57(4), 120-125. http://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 (India), 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