International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

Paddy variety Indrayani has the maximum acreage under paddy crop in the paddy growing belt of Western Maharashtra. This research project was undertaken to study the impact of this variety on the socio-economic aspects of paddy growers. Bhor and Maval tehsils form Pune district were purposively selected for the research project as the area under this variety has substantially increased over last 15 years in this area. Total 140 respondents were selected by simple random sampling and data was collected by designing the interview schedule.

Study on change in socio-political participation indicated that SHG’s continued to be the most important avenue of social participation followed by youth club. The impact analysis indicated that area under cultivation of cereal and sugarcane crop was increased with resultant decrease in fallow land. There was slight increase in the percent of respondents who purchased the land for agriculture purpose and also there was overall increase in the use of agricultural inputs and machinery used by the farmers. Also the number of submersible pumps and electric motors were increased and the modern irrigation systems of drip and sprinkler increased in the five years under comparative study as 7.86 and 2.14 per cent of the respondents, respectively, installed these systems. The implements viz. sprayers, hoes and chaff cutters were found to be increased. The number of household items was increased. Per hectare Average yield form paddy crop has revealed an increasing trend over the study period.