Maximizing diffusion of agronomic practices

Abstract

Diffusion behaviour of nine agronomic practices for paddy and sugarcane cultivation were studied by drawing a random sample of 628 paddy and 259 sugarcane growers and 437 professional extension personnel from general agricultural and sugarcane extension services of Bangladesh. Analysis of the pattern of adoption, the level and rate of diffusion and the factor contribution of the variables relating to client, technology and change agent systems, lead to the conclusion that the characters of change agent system contribute more toward the diffusion of agronomic practices than do the characters of the client and technology systems. The level of acceptance of agronomic practices is higher among clients who have more productive land, smaller farm, more subsistence pressure, more exposure to mass media and more political consciousness. Smaller number of clients per extension worker, more direct contacts with clients, greater fromality in the management of extension system, more incentive than salary of staff, comparatively low but purposeful mobility of extension supervisors, horizontal communication among extension personnel, task rather than relation orientation of superior-subordinate relationship, lower level of educational activities such as meetings, demonstration, etc. with higher client participation, more professional staff with rural background, higher academic qualification and professional commitment, lower magnitudes of control and intra-organizational conflict in the change agent system maximise diffusion of agronomic practices.