Constraints in adoption of recommended production techniques for bt cotton

Abstract

Cotton is an important cash crop of India. *HQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG Bt cotton is relatively new technology aims at better management of insect-pests reducing the heavy reliance on pesticides. The present study was conducted on 160 Bt cotton growers in Muktsar district of Punjab to analyse the constraints faced by them in adopting recommended production technique of Bt cotton. A structured interview schedule was prepared to collect the data from the respondents. Lack of knowledge emerged as the most important constraint in adoption of various recommended cultural and biological practices of Bt cotton viz. adoption of refuge crop, non-conservation of natural enemies, incorrect plant spacing and not observing ETL for insect pest management. Respondents also expressed the problem of non-availability of quality seed, canal irrigation, fertilizers and labour for various crop operations. Bt cotton growers also faced the problems related to weather conditions like high temperature during germination period, excessive rains and rising underground water. Study also revealed that majority of the respondents (96.88 %) had faced the problem of high cost of inputs like seed, pesticides, fertilizer and labour. Majority of the respondents i.e. 95.00 per cent of the respondents felt that the MSP for Bt cotton crop is not remunerative. Poor underground water, development of resistance in insect pests and timely advice of agricultural expert were some other constraints faced by the respondents.

Yield gap analysis of Rabi sorghum through frontline demonstrations in Haveri region of Northern Karnataka

“…Economic analysis of the yield concluded that the benefit: cost ratios of demonstration plots (3.50) were significantly higher over control (2.78). The results are in conformity with the findings of Hiremath et al [4] in onion, Kumar et al [5] in bajra, Mishra et al [6] in potato, Sharma [7] in moth bean, Gurumukhi and Mishra [8] in sorghum, Yadav et al, [9] in oilseeds, Lathwal [10] in pulses and Singh et al [11] . The benefit: cost ratio of the system proved the economic viability of the interventions made under demonstration and convinced the farmers on the utility of the interventions.…”

Information Seeking Behaviour for Adoption of Tnau Released Rice Varieties

“…These findings are in line with Singh et al [11] revealed that the source of information utilized by moth bean growers was found to be significantly associated with the level of knowledge and extent of adoption.…”

Impact through a front-line demonstration on yield and economics of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) in arid Kachchh of Gujarat

“…The main objective of FLDs is to demonstrate newly released crop production and protection technologies and their management in the farmers' field under different agro-climatic regions. 29,32 Frontline demonstration (FLD) is one of these programmes, which focuses on increasing productivity by providing vital inputs as well as improved packages of practices that have been tested by scientists from ICAR Institutes and State Agricultural Universities (SAUs). The yields are higher when high-yielding variety seed, recommended seed rate, seed treatment, planting time, appropriate fertiliser dose, weed control, and integrated pest and disease management are used, as opposed to farmer's practices.…”