A Study on Knowledge and Adoption Levels of Farmers on Mulberry Cultivation Practices in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh

Author: A. Padmaja and G. Savithri

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Abstract

Farmers' knowledge and adoption levels play a vital role in determining the production and productivity of any crop. Similarly, in sericulture, the production and productivity of mulberry leaves are determined by the extent of knowledge possessed by the farmers on sericulture technologies and their adoption. In rural India, sericulture is an age-old tradition and a successful occupation with a high and regular income. The proper dissemination of advanced sericulture technologies and their adoption among farmers play a vital role in the development of the sericulture industry. The present investigation was focused on analysing the knowledge and adoption levels of farmers for the production of mulberry, a sole food plant for the silkworm, Bombyx mori, in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The study was conducted in 20 villages in Chittoor district with the objective of assessing the level of knowledge and adoption of recommended mulberry cultivation practices among farmers. For the study, 240 sericulture farmers were selected @ 12 farmers in each village and grouped into three categories, viz., marginal (80), small (80), and big (80), based on their mulberry land holdings. The study revealed that the farmers possess knowledge on land preparation (58.70%), mulberry variety (67.90%), method of planting (84.60%), manures (83.30%), irrigation (79.20%), weeding (80.40%), and pruning (81.20%) in all three categories (marginal, small, and big). The adoption level of the above-mentioned practices is land preparation (76.20%), mulberry variety (62.90%), method of planting (78.80%), manures (55.80%), irrigation (81.70%), weeding (81.70%), and pruning (80.40%), except in management of land preparation, weeding, and irrigation, where the adoption level is higher than the knowledge level. The study revealed that the different categories of farmers possess a varied degree of knowledge and adoption of advanced mulberry cultivation practices. Even though appropriate, highly productive mulberry production technologies are available to attain potential mulberry leaf yield, it is not happening at the field level. This may be due to a lack of appropriate transfer of technology mechanisms, knowledge, and non-adoption of technologies. Hence, the study is aimed at analysing the knowledge and adoption level of improved sericulture technologies in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, where sericulture activities are highly concentrated

Keywords

Advanced Sericulture Technologies, Knowledge, Adoption, Marginal, Small and Big farmers.

Conclusion

In respect of the knowledge level of farmers on mulberry cultivation practices, the majority of the farmers in the study area possess more knowledge on mulberry variety, land preparation, treatment of planting material, spacing schedule, pruning, manures, irrigation, weeding, and vermicompost making. The maximum number of farmers had partial knowledge on soil testing, soil protection, fertilisers, application of foliar sprays, INM, and IPDM measures, and the majority of farmers had nil knowledge on mulching, green manuring, mechanization, and value addition. With respect to the adoption of mulberry cultivation practices, the majority of the farmers adopted the recommended variety, spacing schedule, manures, irrigation, weeding, and pruning practices; more partial adoption was noticed in the treatment of planting material, application of foliar sprays, and IPDM practices. A greater number of farmers have not adopted the recommended technologies like soil testing, soil protection, intercropping, green manures, mulching, INM, mechanization and value addition. The adoption of technologies requires significant financial assistance from the government and extension services for sericulture farmers. For the rapid and high income of the farmers, different approaches, such as group/community farming, farmers field schools, demonstrations, exposure visits, etc., need to be considered. The study reveals that there is still a significant gap between the level of knowledge and adoption. The gap can be reduced by providing appropriate technologies and financial support with subsidies, which may enhance the adoption levels of the technologies by the farmers. The majority of the farmers partially adopted mulberry cultivation practices when compared to full and nil-adoption levels. In this regard, concerted efforts must be made by the extension personnel to motivate the farmers for the adoption of mulberry production technologies to enhance the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of mulberry leaf. Expansion of sericulture activities to obtain reasonable income: design different suitable approaches for the farmers to improve qualitative and quantitative yield parameters and reduce the yield gaps compared with potential yield. As sericulture is a women-oriented industry, it is essential to empower women sericulture farmers technologically to bridge the technological gap and obtain potential yields

References

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How to cite this article

A. Padmaja and G. Savithri (2024). A Study on Knowledge and Adoption Levels of Farmers on Mulberry Cultivation Practices in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(3): 67-73.