Diffusion of a Mechanical Technology: The Case of Combines in Muda

Abstract

Factors associated with the use of combine harvesters by the farmers in the Muda Scheme were identified as the farm size, farmers' perception of the economic benefit of the machine, neighbourhood factor, membership in Farmers' Organisation and several other factors. It was concluded that the new technology will continue to spread among the paddy farmers because of its cost saving and speed of operation compared with human labour.