Apparent Gains, Hidden Costs: Examining Adoption Drivers, Yield, and Profitability Outcomes of Rotavator Tillage in Wheat Systems in Nepal

摘要: The ‘high speed’ rotavator is used for shallow tillage to create a fine tilth and incorporate crop residues, often with single tractor pass. Rotavator has spread quickly in many parts of South Asia, despite short‐term experimental trials suggesting deteriorating soil quality yield penalties. Evidence impacts on farmer fields across gradients time largely absent. From farm household survey conducted among wheat farmers Nepal, we estimate profitability outcomes adopters non‐adopters using propensity score matching. We find that adoption leads inferior outcomes, significant cost savings land preparation (US$ 11–15 per hectare). With adoption, lose about 284–309 kg grain US$ 93–101 profits average hectare season, these penalties increase longer‐term use the technology. Adoption appears be driven by preparation. Against this backdrop, new policy extension efforts are required discourage favour more sustainable technologies.