TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION OF DOUBLE LINE SEEDING ON A ROW WITH BASIN PLANTING SYSTEM IN MALTING BARLEY

Abstract

The rainfed malting barley crop has been sown traditionally with the direct seeding system. This seeding system has led to runoff soil erosion problems and low productivity in Zacatecas, México. The Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias developed an alternative technology called double line seeding on a row with basin planting system (DLSRBPS) for this crop. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the extent of DLSRBPS adoption, characterize the technology users, and identify factors associated with the adoption of this technology in Zacatecas, México. The information was collected during 2009 and 2010 through surveys applied to 135 farmers in nine municipalities of Zacatecas. An adoption rate of 27 % for the DLSRBPS technology was estimated. Growers that adopted this technology had more experience in this crop, their educational level was higher than other farmer groups, and they planted a large area with this crop. Using the DLSRBPS technology, farmers noticed increased yields, reduced amount of seed at planting time and production costs. Lack of economic resources, limited availability of specialized agricultural machinery for the DLSRBPS technology, and little or no technical assistance were the main limiting factors for using the DLSRBPS technology in Zacatecas.