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Adoption of Rice- Fish Farming (RFF) in Fars Province

Adoption of integrated rice-fish farming (RFF) is a complex process. There are many factors that contribute toward this process. Identifying these factors could help planning more effective extension programs. The aim of this research was to study the characteristics which distinguished adopters from non-adopters of RFF practices in Fars province. A survey was conducted using a stratified random sample to collect data from farmers. The questionnaire validity and reliability was tested and measures were taken to improve the instrument. Results of the study revealed that the most important difference between adopters and non-adopters of RFF technology was access to aquacultural information, which was significantly higher among adopters. The two groups did not differ with regard to degree of earliness in awamess about RFF innovations, however there was a signifcant difference between adopters and non-adopters regarding knowledge of aquaculture. Adopters had a higher level of knowledge about feeding, management and fish fingerlings. Therefore, providing awareness and related knowledge could have an important impact on diffusion of RFF. The discriminant function derived from integrated model could suitably categorize adopters and non- adopters of RFF. The most important variables, which differentiated RFF adopters and non-adopters, were access to information, knowledge of fish fingerlings, aquaculture management, plot preparation for aquaculture and knowledge of fish harvesting.