Adoption gaps in recommended production techniques of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in Muktsar district of Punjab
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Date
2014
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The study entitled “Adoption gaps in recommended production techniques of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) in Muktsar district of Punjab” was undertaken with the objective to study the socio-personal characterstics of the farmers, to know the extent and level of adoption and problems faced by the farmers in adoption of recommended production techniques of Bt cotton. All the four blocks of Muktsar district viz. Muktsar, Malout, Lambi and Kotbhai were undertaken for the study and two villages from each block were selected thus the total sample size of 160 farmers were selected for the present study. The data were collected with the help of structured interview schedule by personally interviewing the respondents. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were in the age group below 35 years, educated upto middle, live in joint families, had large operational land holding (>35 acres), agriculture as a main source of income, low extension contacts and medium risk bearing capacity and possess low knowledge level about the recommended production techniques of Bt cotton. Majority of the respondents has adopted recommended varieties of Bt cotton, seed rate and time of sowing of Bt cotton. Majority of the Bt cotton growers used nitrogenous, phosphatic, potash fertilizers and insecticides more than recommended dosages. Although good number of respondents (36.88%) had knowledge about the purpose of growing refuge in Bt cotton but only 10 per cent of them had adopted this practice. One third of the respondents were found to be using insecticide mixtures for sucking pests and bollworm management. Besides lack of knowledge about recommended production techniques of Bt cotton, climatic conditions viz. rising underground water table, high temperature at germination stage and uncertainty of rains were also the major problems faced by the Bt cotton growers. Problem of non availability of quality seed and high cost were also faced by the farmers. It is suggested that trainings should be imparted to the cotton growers on Bt cotton technology, judicious use of pesticides, fertilizers application and IPM practices so that use of insecticide mixtures may be curtailed.
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Keywords
Extension Education, Gossypium hirsutum L., Agronomy, IPM, Bt cotton