Impact of Agricultural Technology on Crops Diversification among the Farmers of Odisha, India

The implementation of agricultural technology can increase the income of farmers by boosting farm productivity. This may allow the farmers to go for crop diversification. This study examines this premise in relation to millets production, use of agricultural technology therein, and crop diversification by the farmers involved in millet production. Data on five hundred millet farmers in Koraput district of Odisha in India, have been collected to empirically test whether use of agricultural technology aids-in crop diversification. The study employs fractional heteroscedasticity probit model to ascertain the association between agricultural technology use and crop diversification. For the purpose of this study, a crop diversification index, and an agricultural technology intensity index has been framed. The study found that there is a statistically significant relationship between agricultural technology use and crop diversification. This is a noteworthy discovery given the growing importance of crop diversity as the farming class seeks higher income and countries seek agricultural self-sufficiency. After discovering this, the research proposes that governments worldwide should enhance agricultural technology adoption through appropriate policies.