A Study Of Factors Affecting Rice Yield in The Valley Districts Of Manipur

Abstract

In a quality effort to improve rice production in the valley areas of Manipur, this research discusses the key factors that determine yield under rain-fed management conditions with elements of modernisation and partial mechanisation. Using cross-sectional data combined with multiple linear regression analysis on the sample of 191 farmers, the research restricted its analysis to the 2020–21 Kharif season. The research establishes several factors that have a direct bearing on rice yield. Of these, the kind of plantation, the level of mechanisation, the availability of irrigation, the cost of fertiliser, and the literacy level of farmers were identified as major factors that influenced yield risk. These observations point to the fact that improving farming techniques as well as infrastructure is a very effective strategy towards enhancing productivity. On the other hand, the influence of other variables like the size of the farm, cost of family labour and bullock labour were established to be relatively insignificant here. The study incorporates the need to increase irrigation facilities, utilise high-yield varieties (HYVs), apply fertiliser correctly, and use the right machinery to improve yields in rice. Thus, if these factors are considered, there is a high possibility of improving rice yield in the valley regions of Manipur. The study also imposes the generalisability of these suggestions, meaning that similar measures could be useful in other areas of India, especially the Northeast, where agricultural improvement and food security are critical.