Singh, RamP., Harigovind2023-02-222023-02-222022-08https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810194217Over the previous decades, intensive and extensive cultivation of high yielding varieties of crops were introduced in India which skyrocketed the production to many folds, and crop protection also played a significant role in the success of Green Revolution and increased productivity. The realization of the negative effects of chemicals shifted the focus to more reliable, sustainable and environment friendly organic farming practices. Increasing the adoption rate of organic cultivation in India is a major driving factor for bio-pesticides in the country. Since the state of Meghalaya and North-Eastern Hill region as a whole organic by default and also there is increased concerns now a days for organic food production in a health point of view as well as to increase the productivity sustainably, bio-pesticides can be a viable option for farmer to choose. Knowing the importance of bio-pesticide use in vegetables production among the farmers in the Khasi Hills region, the present research was conducted in two districts of Meghalaya with the following specific objectives- i) To work out cost of cultivation of major vegetables for adopters and non-adopters. ii) To study farmer’s constraints on use of bio-pesticides in major vegetables and to suggest policy measures for enhancing the adoption. Ri-bhoi and East khasi hills districts were selected purposively and three vegetable crops viz., Cabbage, potato, and French bean were identified as major vegetables as farmers are mainly applying biopesticides in these crops at different growth stages. A total of 4 blocks from which 4 villages were selected purposively based on the number of adopter farmers and 150 respondents in total were selected using random sampling with proportionate allocation to population size, out of which 100 were adopters. The results of study revealed that the bio-pesticide adoption assessed in terms of productivity, cost and returns revealed a proper positive economic impact among the vegetable growers who opted bio-pesticide in their farms. The cost of cultivation was found to be lower for adopters in the case of all three vegetables than non-adopters and the corresponding decrease was 15.71 per cent, 10.77 per cent and 12, 31 per cent for cabbage, potato and French beans respectively. The yield was found to be higher for adopters and hence, they derived an increased returns of 78.04 per cent from cabbage, 124.49 per cent from potato and 50.35 per cent from French bean than non-adopters. In-addition to farmer’s socio-economic characteristics and institutional factors, farmer’s perceptions about the intervention also are very important in determining the adoption decision. Better education, frequent contact with experts and timely availability of agri-inputs in accessible areas and spreading awareness regarding benefits of bio-pesticides will be having an affirmative impact on increased adoption of bio-pesticides among the farmers.EnglishEconomic analysisBiological controlThesis