Awareness and Perception of Variable Rate Fertilizer Application Technology among Indian Researchers

Abstract

Regarding responsible consumption of fertilizer and sustainable food production globally, the Variable Rate Technology (VRT) gained momentum in recent days around the world and also parts of Indian research. Hence, a study was undertaken to analyze the awareness and perception of Indian researchers on VRT to understand and provide implications focusing further developments. The research group (agricultural researchers) was approached with a suitable questionnaire comprising factors under awareness - knowledge, exposure, and understanding, and under perception - benefits, essentiality, and experience. The awareness index (Ai) and perception index (Pi) were developed and assessed along with statistical analysis. Different aspects of challenges and suggestions on fertilizer management arrived and ranked. Ai and Pi were found to be 3.2 and 4.6 out of 10 respectively with a correlation coefficient of 0.78 between each other. Also, results implied that VRT research and developments was the prioritized need. Statistical analysis identified the influencing factor for the arrived indices. The novelty of the study lies in its exploration of the development and adoption level of Variable Rate Technology (VRT) in India.