Socio-economic evaluation of zero-tillage technology through farmer's participatory mode 79 Socio-economic evaluation of zero-tillage technology through farmer's participatory mode B.L. Dhaka, C.M. Parihar, B.S. Meena and M.K. Poonia Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Post Box No. - 4, Bundi - 323 001 (Rajasthan) ABSTRACT Zero tillage is an innovation that not only offers conservation of natural resources viz., water and energy but also results in better crop yields. This technology had been in use since long in many parts of the world and India as well. In past despite its lot of advantages it could not be popularized among the farming community. Keeping all the above points in view the socio-economic aspect zero-tillage technology in rice-wheat system was evaluated in participatory mode. The concept behind this study lies in a faster technology adoption by the way of testing technologies under situations where it is to be adopted with full involvement of its ultimate client with their resources. The high yield grain and less cost of production per hectare were noted on zero tillage farms as compared with conventional till farms. The zero tillage found adaptable to local environmental conditions, compatible to socio-economical, bio-physical and cultural situation of the farmers. Over all, results shows that zero tillage has both economic and environmental advantage over conventional tillage. Key words : Conventional tillage, farmers' participatory mode, socio-economic, zero tillage. Ann. Agric. Res. New Series Vol. 33 (1&2) : 79-83 (2012) The future of agricultural development depends on the delivery of appropriate technologies applicable to resource-poor farm families, suited to their socio-economic and cultural situations. As the supply of right kind of technology to different segments of society particularly those living in risk prone areas is critical for mitigating the wide spread inequalities and enhancing the economic growth. The technologies that we want to communicate to the farmers should be simple, communicable and understandable, involve less risk, less cost, take minimum time in giving results, have high productivity and profitability, adaptable to local environmental conditions, compatible to socio- economical, physical and cultural situation of the farmers. A well developed research infrastructure for generating high producing and cost effective technologies is available. But most of the technologies/ information generated through research system have remained on the shelf rather then reaching their destination. To be effective, transfer of technology must be based on needs and capabilities of agro-ecological setting, resources endowments, agro-production distribution system and farm household. The ultimate aim of extensionists is to empower the farmer with the appropriate knowledge, technique and skill so as to enhance the capabilities to judiciously exploit the natural resources and family labour for sustainable agriculture development. It is imperative to enhance yield per unit of resources used with efficient and judicious use of land and water resources. The sowing of wheat following zero tillage technology has shown encouraging results. Under zero tillage, wheat is sown using residual moisture with no or minimum tillage without irrigating the fields with the aim to sow wheat in time after rice, conservation of water, and reduced cultivation cost. Zero Tillage is an innovation that not only offers conservation of water and energy resources but also results in better crop yields. This technology had been in use since long in many parts of the world and India as well but it could not be popularized among the farming community despite its lot of advantages. Keeping all the above facts in