CONSTRAINTS PERCEIVED BY THE FARMER IN ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF CAULIFLOWER
P. N. Chaubey
Department of Agriculture Extension, S.M. M. T. D. College, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh Abstract- The requirement of vegetable in the country is rapidly increasing due to increasing population. The cauliflower is widely used as an essential component of food in medicinal forms and also as an immediate source of farmer’s income. The present investigation is an effort to know and understand the clear picture of cauliflower cultivation regarding the constraints faced by the farmers, their knowledge and adoption of cauliflower cultivation practices, the constraints faced by them and their sources of information which directly or indirectly affect their knowledge and adoption level about cauliflower cultivation practices.
The awareness of the knowledge gap and adoption gap will enable the researchers, policy makers, planners and extension agencies to fix up the priorities in understanding the activities and steps for research to improve productivity. The identification of the constraints in adoption of recommended cultivation practices of cauliflower will enable the policy makers to prepare plan to rectify these hurdles for mobilizing the quick adoption of cauliflower cultivation which in turn will increase the total agriculture production and improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers which will contribute towards over all national development.
Keywords: Awareness, policy makers, priorities, mobilizing.
1 INTRODUCTION
Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var.
botrytis L.) is a member of the Cruciferae or Cole crop family. As with other members of the family such as broccoli or cabbage, cauliflower is noted for its adaption to cooler growing conditions.
Cauliflower is an important vegetables of India. Its cultivation is widely done in the sub-tropical parts of north India. In India, the area under cauliflower was 459 thousand hect.with a production of 8800 thousand tonne and productivity of 19.17 tones/ha. India produces around 32.5 per cent of the world’ total production of cauliflower.
Individually cauliflower accounts for 5.06 per cent of vegetable production of country. More than 20 million tonneof cauliflower is produced annually worldwide and china and India are among the leading countries. Varying climatic conditions affects production of cauliflower but in the long term a growing demand trend is likely to remain. China produces half of the world’s yield which is huge revenue for the country. The cauliflower sector is accounted for over 75 per cent of world production by Chinese and Indian cauliflower. The identification of the constraints in adoption of recommended cultivation practices of cauliflower will enable the policy makers to prepare plan to rectify these hurdles for
mobilizing the quick adoption of cauliflower cultivation which in turn will increase the total agriculture production and improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers which will contribute towards over all national development.
2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted in Badalapur Block of Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh, during 2020-21. Jaunpur district comprises of 21 blocks out of these 1 blocks i.e. Badalapur block were selected purposively since most of the FLDs are situated in the Badalapur block.
The study was conducted purposively in Badalapur block of Jaunpur district due to maximum area under cauliflower cultivation. A list of the villages of the selected block was prepared and 10 villages were selected with the help of simple random sampling method for the study. Village- wise list of cauliflower growers were prepared with the help of agriculture supervisor from each selected 10 Village and total respondents 120 cauliflower growing farmers were selected randomly through proportional allocation to the size of sample.
Farmer’s Level Constraints in pea cultivation: Constraints faced by pea
growers related to production were prioritized by using Garrett Ranking Technique.
2.1 Garrett Ranking Method
In this method the farmers were asked to rank the given constraint according to the severity of the problem. In analysis, rank 1 means most important problem and rank 8 means least important problem.
3 RESULTS & DISCUSSION:
Distribution of respondents according to their Age:-
It was observed from table- 1 that the majority of the respondents (47.50 per cent) were belonged to middle age group (30 to 50 year), 27.50 per cent respondents were under young age group (below 30 year) and 25.00 per cent respondents were of old age group (above 50 year). Thus, it may be concluded that the maximum cauliflower growers were belonging to middle age (30 to 50 year).
Table 1 Distribution of respondents according to their age. (n=120) Sr.
No. Categories No. of
respondents Percentage
1. Young age 33 27.50
2. Middle age 57 47.50
3. Old age 30 25.00
The results of the study showed that majority of the cauliflower growers (57 per cent) were of middle age group.
This might be due to that the farmers of this age group are more innovative to adopt new technology than other age group. They easily understand the benefits of improved varieties and recommended practices. So they adopt recommended package earlier. The findings of Asati (2000) and Kawale et al.
(2003) confirm the present finding.
3.1 Distribution of respondents according to their education:-
It is evident form Table-2 that the maximum respondents 37.50 per cent had secondary education, followed by 30.00 per cent respondents who had higher education, 12.50 per cent had possessed primary school education and illiterate were 20.00 per cent.
Table 2 Distribution of respondents according to their education. (n=120)
Sr.
No.
Categories No. of respondents
Percentage
1. Illiterates 24 20.00
2. Primary 15 12.50
3. Secondary 45 37.50
4. Higher 36 30.00
Regarding the level of education, majority of the respondents (45 per cent) were secondary class. This might be due to adequate education facilities in their village and the villagers are more conscious about education. The findings of Asati (2000) and Kawale et al. (2003) also confirm the present finding.
3.2 Distribution of respondents according to their caste:-
As regarded to caste, maximum number of the respondents (32.50 per cent) belonged to other backward caste followed by 30.00 per cent as ST/SC, 25.00 per cent respondents were from general caste and only 12.50 per cent respondents belonged to other. It can be concluded that majority of the respondents were belonged to OBC
Table 3 Distribution of respondents according to their caste. (n=120) Sr.
No. Categories No. of
respondents Percentage
1. General 30 25.00
2. OBC 39 32.50
3. SC/ST 36 30.00
4. Other 15 12.50
Majority of the respondents (39 per cent) belonged to OBC caste category due to more population of OBC caste as compared to other caste in the study area.
The work of Singh (2005) and Deshmukh (2007) confirm the present finding.
3.3 Of respondents according to their Family type:-
The data presented in table- 4 reveals that out of 120 cauliflower growers, 37.50 per cent belonged to nuclear family and 62.50 per cent belonged joint family.
Thus, it can be stated that the maximum cauliflower growers (62.50 per cent) were of joint family.
Table 4 Distribution of respondents according to their family type.
(n=120) Sr.
No. Categories No. of
respondents Percentage
1. Joint family 75 62.50
2. Nuclear
family 45 37.50
Majority of the respondents (62.50 per cent) belonged to joint family. The work of Kumar (2000) and Choubitker (2007) also confirms the present finding.
3.4 Distribution of respondents according to their Annual income:- The data presented in table- 5 reveals that out of 120 cauliflower growers, 45.00 per cent belonged to medium annual income and 37.50 per cent belonged to low annual income.
Thus, it can be stated that the maximum cauliflower growers (17.50 per cent) were found in high annual income.
Table 5 Distribution of respondents according to their annual income.
(n=120)
Sr.
No.
Categories No. of respondents
Percentage
1. Low
(<Rs.36000) 45 37.50
2. Medium
(Rs.36000 to 75000)
54 45.00
3. High(>Rs.7500
0) 21 17.50
Majority of the respondents (45 per cent) belonged to medium income category. This might be due to that the respondents had limited source of income. They all were engaged in farming activities and some other activity throughout the year and they were able to generate higher income. This finding finds support with the work of Kawale et al.
(2003) and Singh et al. (2010) .
3.5 Distribution of respondents according to their Occupation:-
Data presented in Table- 6 show the distribution of cauliflower growers according to their occupation. The data indicated that 40.00 per cent respondents were having farming as their main occupation followed by 37.50 per cent having farming and private job, and 22.50 per cent having farming and government job.
Thus, it may be concluded that 40.00 per cent respondents were having only farming as their main occupation.
Table 6 Distribution of respondents according to their occupation. (n=120)
Sr.
No.
Categories No. of respondents
Percentage
1. Farming 48 40.00
2. Farming +
govt. job 27 22.50
3. Farming +
pvt. job 45 37.50
The higher percentage of the respondents (40 per cent) had only farming as their main occupation followed by respondents (37.50 per cent) had farming + Pvt. Job. That might be due to lack of employment facilities in the selected area. Therefore, majority of villagers were involved only in agricultural activities. This finding finds support with the work of Kumar (2000) ,Deshmukh (2007) and Singh et al. (2014) .
3.6 Distribution of respondents according to their Land holding:-
The data presented in table -7 indicated that out of the total cauliflower growers, 47.50 per cent were having small size of land holding followed by 30.00 per cent medium and 22.50 per cent were having large size of holding.
Hence, it can be concluded that maximum 47.50 per cent cauliflower growers owned small size of land holding.
Table 7 Distribution of respondents according to their land holding.
(n=120) Sr.
No. Categories No. of
respondents Percentage 1. Small (< 0.5
Acre) 57 47.50
2. Medium (0.5
to 1 Acre) 36 30.00
3. Large(> 1
Acre) 27 22.50
Regarding the size of land holding, the majority of cauliflower growers (47 per cent) were of low categories followed by medium categories (30 per cent) cauliflower growers. The work of Kumar (2000) and Kushwaha (2008) confirm the present finding.
3.7 Distribution of respondents according to their Farming experience:- The data presented in table- 8 show the experience of growers in cauliflower cultivation. It reveals that 42.50 per cent of growers had high level of experience, 35.00 per cent had medium and
remaining 22.50 per cent had low level experience.
Thus, it can be concluded that nearly 42.50 per cent of growers had high experience of cauliflower cultivation.
Table 8 Distribution of respondents according to their farming experience
(n=120) Sr.
No. Categories No. of
respondents Percentage 1. Low (< 5
years) 27 22.50
2. Medium (5
to 15 years 42 35.00
3. High (> 15
years) 51 42.50
The finding regarding experience of cauliflower growing revealed cauliflower that maximum cauliflower growers (42.50 per cent) were having high level of experience. This finding is supported by Bajpai (2007), Kushwaha (2008) and Sonare (2008).
3.8 Constraints faced by farmers during adoption of Cauliflower cultivation practices:-
It is revealed from Table- 9 that out of Total of 120 cauliflower grower the major
situational constraints for non-adoption of recommended cauliflower production practices perceived by the respondents were observed in the descending order as Lack of knowledge about cauliflower cultivation (76.66 per cent), Lack of proper market in the area (76.66 per cent), Lack of knowledge about Seed treatment (75 per cent), High cost of improved seeds (74.16 per cent), Scattered land holding and Non- availability of high yielding seeds (72.5 per cent), Lack of knowledge about high yielding varieties (70.83 per cent), Timely unavailability of inputs at locality (66.66 per cent), Low price of produce at the time of harvesting (66.66 per cent), Poor economic conditions of the cauliflower growers (65 per cent), High cost of plant protection measures (63.33 per cent), Poor produce procurement policy of government (63.33 per cent) , Non availability of irrigation in time (60 per cent), Unavailability of electricity for water lifting from well and tube well (55.83 per cent) and High insect pest incidence (54.16 per cent).
Table 9 Constraints as reported by the cauliflower growers in cauliflower cultivation practices
Sr. No. Constraints No. of Respondents Percent Rank 1. Lack of knowledge about
cauliflower cultivation 92 76.66 I
2. Timely unavailability of
inputs at locality 80 66.66 VIII
3. Lack of knowledge about
high yielding varieties 85 70.83 VI
4. Lack of knowledge about
Seed treatment 90 75.00 III
5. Poor economic conditions of
the cauliflower growers 78 65.00 X
6. Non–availability of high
yielding seeds 87 72.50 V
7. High cost of plant protection
measures 76 63.33 XI
8. Non availability of irrigation
in time 72 60.00 XIII
9. Unavailability of electricity for water lifting from well and tube well
67 55.83 XIV
10. High cost of improved seeds 89 74.16 IV
11. Low price of produce at time of harvesting
80 66.66 IX
12. Lack of proper market in the
area 92 76.66 II
13. High insect pest incidence 65 54.16 XV
14. Poor produce procurement
policy of government 76 63.33 XII
15. Scattered land holding 85 70.83 VII
Respectively were major constraints faced by the farmers. This finding finds support
with the work of Kushwaha (2008), Rai and singh (2010), Kumar (2009), Singh et al. (2007), Rathod et al. (2013).
3.9 Suggestions to overcome constraints faced by farmers during adoption of cauliflower cultivation practices:-
The suggestions offered by the farmers are presented in rank order in Table -10.
The important suggestions appeared were arranged in descending order as HYV seed
at the time of sowing should be made available (79.16per cent), Subsidy should be increased on plant protection chemicals and fertilizers (75 per cent), Need based training programme should be conducted (70.83 per cent), Sufficient number of trials and demonstrations on useful technologies (63.33 per cent), Credit should be available in time (57.50 per cent) and Marketing facilities should be provided to sale the farmer’s produce (54.16 per cent), respectively.
Table 10 Suggestions offered by the farmers to overcome the constraints in cauliflower cultivation practices.
Sr. No. Suggestions No. of Respondents Percent Rank 1. HYV seed at the time of
sowing should be made available
95 79.16 I
2. Subsidy should be increased on plant protection chemicals and fertilizers
90 75.00 II
3. Need based training programme should be conducted
85 70.83 III
4. Credit should be available in
time 69 57.50 V
5. Marketing facilities should be provided to sale the farmer’s produce
65 54.16 VI
6. Sufficient number of trials and demonstrations on useful technologies
76 63.33 IV
The work of Kushwaha (2008), Kumar and Sharma (2015) supported the present finding.
4 CONCLUSION:
On the basis of the results, main findings are:
Most of the respondents had belonged to middle age (47.5 per cent) group, possessed OBC (32.5 per cent) category, secondary (37.5 per cent) education, joint (62.5 per cent) family type, medium category (45 per cent) of annual income, engaged in farming (40 per cent). Low category (47.5 per cent) of land holding, high (42.5 per cent) farming experience.
Major constraints responsible for non- adoption of recommended cauliflower production practices perceived by the respondents were arranged in the descending order as Lack of knowledge about cauliflower cultivation (76.66 per cent), Lack of proper market in the area (76.66 per cent), Lack of knowledge about Seed treatment (75 per cent), High cost of improved seeds (74.16 per cent), Scattered land holding and Non- availability of high yielding seeds (72.5
per cent), Lack of knowledge about high yielding varieties (70.83 per cent) and important suggestions were arranged in descending order as HYV seed at the time of sowing should be made available (79.16per cent), Subsidy should be increased on plant protection chemicals and fertilizers (75 per cent), Need based training programme should be conducted (70.83 per cent).
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