Impact of Farm Technology on Agricultural Production-A Study with Special Reference to Madurai District of Tamilnadu

Agriculture in India is undergoing transformation. Traditional technology is slowly giving way to modern technology. The ‘New Strategy’ for agricultural development, which was initiated in 1966, in essence called for the implementation of High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP) in all districts selected under Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP) and allied schemes. The strategy was concerned with higher productivity of crops but with multiple cropping, the HYVP had assumed ‘crucial importance’ in the Planning Commission’s agricultural development strategy. A three dimensional approach towards agricultural development was chemical technology that guaranteed minimum paddy as an incentive to agricultural production. Technological change or the new strategy proposes to make a new technological breakthrough in India which comprises the introduction of new and HYV of improved seeds, increased application of the recommended dose of fertilizers and extension of the use of pesticides that can save crop from destruction by insects. The increase in production of food grains recorded after 1966-67 is described as Green Revolution. The rapid introduction of HYV of paddy and wheat and their multiplied effects on other crops justify the name Green Revolution. To study the characteristics of sample farmers, labour utilization, input and output structure, cost and returns for small and large farmers cultivating High Yielding Variety and Traditional Variety of rice.