Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Adoption score is usually lower for owner cultivator than for tenant cultivator.
Reason (R): Communicability is the degree to which results of innovation may not be diffused to others.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are incorrect.
• B. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
• C. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct.
• D. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Hint:

Secure land ownership is a major facilitator of agricultural adoption.
In contrast, tenant farming and sharecropping often discourage investment in new technologies.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The adoption of agricultural practices depends on socio-economic characteristics (like land ownership status) and the perceived attributes of the innovation (such as observability/communicability).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate both statements:
- Assertion (A):
"Adoption score is usually lower for owner cultivator than for tenant cultivator."
This is incorrect.
Empirical studies in agricultural extension show that owner-cultivators have higher security of land tenure, better access to institutional credit, and greater control over farming decisions.
Consequently, their adoption of modern practices (such as capital-intensive machinery or long-term soil conservation measures) is significantly higher than that of tenant cultivators, who face insecure land tenure and higher risk.
- Reason (R):
"Communicability is the degree to which results of innovation may not be diffused to others."
This is incorrect.
Communicability (often referred to as Observability in Rogers' model) is the degree to which the results of an innovation are visible to others.
If the results of an innovation are highly visible, they can be easily demonstrated and communicated, which accelerates diffusion.
Defining it as the degree to which results "may not be diffused" is the opposite of its true definition.
Since both statements are incorrect, Option (A) is correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (A) Both (A) and (R) are incorrect.