Risk and Resilience in the Adoption of New Agrarian Technology by Rural Families: An Ethnographic Study of East Barddhaman District

The uptake of new agrarian technologies is a key driver of enhancing the agricultural productivity and food security in rural communities. Yet, the uptake of such technologies into conventional farming activities is usually accompanied by risks and challenges. This ethnographic research investigates the risks and resilience-related factors of the adoption of new agricultural technologies among rural households in East Barddhaman district, West Bengal, India. By conducting a close-up study of rural farming communities, the research explores the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental determinants shaping the adoption of technology as well as the adaptive strategies that farmers employ in negotiating perceived risks and constructing resilience.