Production system typology and technology utilisation pattern in cassava cultivation in Thiruvananthapuram district
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Date
2004
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Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Abstract
The study entitled “production system typology and technology utilization pattern in cassava cultivation in Thiruvananthapuram district” was undertaken to identify the cassava production system typology, analyse the technology utilization pattern of cassava farmers, assess technology gap and ascertain the constraints in the cassava cultivation, to identify the reason for decline in area under cassava and to access training needs of farmers in cassava production and processing.
A sample of 150 farmers were selected at random from six grama panchayat from three block panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram district. In addition to this 50 respondents to comprising scientists working on cassava, extension functionaries, cassava sellers and consumers were selected for identifying reasons for decline in area under cassava cultivation.
The data were collected using pre-tested and well structured interview schedule. The study showed that elders had shown more interest in cassava cultivation compared to youngsters.
Based on type of land and type of cropping component, seven types of production systems were identified. Among the seven production systems, low land pure crop (28 %) constitute the major production system followed by upland pure crop (21.54 %). The study also revealed that 49 per cent of the total area was cultivated as pure crop followed by intercropping (23 %) and the percentage share of homestead and mixed cropping were 19 and 9 per cent respectively.
Majority of the respondents (43 %) belonged to the category of commercial farmers followed by (34 %) semi-commercial and 23 per cent subsistence farmers.
The study on technology gap revealed that there existed disparity between technologies as well as regions. Hilly regions found to have greater technology gap (37 %) followed by coastal region (33 %) and midland region (30 %). Wide technology gap was observed in technology namely cassava mosaic management, application of inorganic fertilizers and storage of planting materials.
Regarding the production constraints faced by the farmers, it was observed that high wage rate of agricultural labourers was ranked as the most severe constraint followed by labour and water scarcity.
Study on reasons for decline in area under cassava cultivation showed that stiff competition from other major remunerative crops as the most important reason. High wage rate of agricultural labourers and conversion of land were the other important reasons for the decline in area under cassava cultivation.
The study revealed that processing of cassava was the most important area of training needed by the respondents.
The wide range of technology gap is observed among cassava farmers due to the unorganized nature and poor resource base. In order to bridge the technology gap, detailed information on technology utilization pattern by cassava farmers is indispensable. Information on cassava technology utilization pattern and production system typology will indicate the significance of imparting training to the farmers, for which their training needs have to be ascertained. In production and processing of cassava several improved and advanced technologies have been generated. But there is a wide gap between available technologies and their adoption by farmers. In order to bridge this gap, framing appropriate development strategies for cassava, besides upgrading the technical competency of extension personnel is necessary. The detailed information on technology utilization pattern by cassava farmers is also indispensable for minimizing the technology gap. The identification of various production system typology will help to increase production and productivity of cassava.
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172400