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Cluster analysis \vas done using the CLUSTER procedure (Ward's Method)
of SAS. The value was used to determine whether t\tro clusters were dissimilar.
Two clusters with R2 values of more than 0.75 \\..ere considered to be one cluster.
An R2 value of 0.75 may either denote certain similarities or dissimilarities among
clusters.
The CANDISC procedure was used to derive canonical variables that
summarized between-class variations. After the clusters were identified, each cluster
was described according to the following parameters: plot and farm-level
characteristics; level of adoption of the KABSAKA technology; productivity;
profitability; household income; and expenditure patterns. The differences among
these parameters reflected the impact of the variations in technology adoption.
ADOPTERS AND SONADOPTERS
The first part of the study viewed the dichotomous aspect of technology adoption.
Adopters used dry seeded rice (DSR) for the first rice crop; nonadopters did not.
The researchers intentionally avoided the terms "high adopters" and "low adopters"
to avoid being biased in relation to the technology promoted by the FSR project. It
should be mentioned that FSR promotes experimentation and farmers should not
be penalized for modifying the technology introduced by the project.
Changes in farm practices
A comparative study of the adopters and nonadopters showed significant differences
with regard to farm practices associated with the KABSAKA technology. Adopters
plowed and harrowed their fields three times. The nonadopters plowed only once. In
1987-88, adopters planted 50% of their farm area to DSR and the balance to wet
seeded rice (WSR) and transplanted rice (TPR). The date of crop establishment for
adopters coincided with the date used by the non:idopters, who established their
crop after the third week of June 1987. Although the land was prepared and
supposedly planted to DSR, the rainfall during June prompted the adopters to use
WSR in certain portions of their farms. The farm area of adopters that was planted
to DSR increased to about 88% in 1988-89 and was established earlier (before the
third week of June) than the farm area of nonadopters. This was also true in
1989-90.
The seeding rate did not vary much, but adopters were more inclined to
provide some allowances during the first crop. Farmers had to maintain higher
seeding rates than recommended to provide an allowance for damage caused by
golden snaiis.
The turn-around period during 1957-88 was longer in the case of
nonadopters (only 38% of the area was planted within the recommended period of
15 d). The adopters had 66% of the area planted within 2 wk after harvest of the