S. S. SisodiaSHEKHAWAT, SARITAMPUAT, Udaipur2023-10-102023-10-102023Shekhawat S. and Sisodia, S. S.https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810198623The present study entitled “A Study on Knowledge and Adoption of Improved Lime Production Technology by Farmers in Udaipur District of Rajasthan” with the following specific objective: 1. To assess level of knowledge of farmers about recommended lime cultivation practices. 2. To study extent of adoption of recommended lime cultivation practices by farmers. 3. To identify relationship between personal characteristics of lime growers with their knowledge and adoption. 4. To identify constraints faced by the farmers in adoption of recommended lime cultivation practices and suggestion to overcome it. The present study will be conducted purposely in one district namely Udaipur on the basis of maximum area in lime cultivation in Southern Rajasthan. This district is located in MPUAT service area. Udaipur district comprises of fifteen Tehsils, out of these Gogunda, Jhadol, Girwa and Badgaon have been selected on the basis of maximum number of lime farmers. Respondents were selected through proportionate sampling from each selected tehsil.In this way,26 respondents were from Gogunda, 28 from Badgaon,23 from Jhadol and 23 from Girwa. Thus,s total 100 respondents selected for the present investigation. Data were collected through pre structured interview schedule. Thereafter data were analysed and result were interpreted as given below: The study revealed that majority of respondents belong to age group 32 to 52 years of age. This age group alone constituted 70.00 per cent of respondents, 76.00 per cent respondents were belong to medium income level i.e., Rs. 1,28,774 to Rs. 3,32,226 per annum, (82.00 %) respondents belonged to joint family, majority (47.00%) of respondents belongs to ST category, (49.00 %) of respondents were primary, 66.00 per cent respondents were small farmers having land size below 1.01- 2.00 ha, (82.00 %) respondents have medium level of extension contacts, (72.00 %) of them have medium level of access to source of information. The study indicates that majority of respondents i.e. 81.00 per cent possessed medium level of knowledge, whereas, 11.00 per cent respondents possessed high level of knowledge and remaining 08.00 per cent respondents possessed low level of knowledge about lime production technology. Respondents stated that that “Knowledge about harvesting practices” was the most favoured knowledge aspect with total MPS 98.00 and was ranked first and last eight rank “Knowledge about plant protection measures” with total MPS 60.66. It was found that majority (74.00 %) of the farmers had medium level of adoption, followed by low (14.00 %) and high level (12.00 %). From this, it can be concluded that majority of the farmers had medium level of adoption about lime production technology. “Adoption of recommended harvesting practices” was at ranked first by respondents with overall MPS 48.60 and last eight rank “Adoption of plant protection measures” with total MPS 11.95. It was observed that caste of respondents has non-significant relationship with their knowledge about lime production technology and another variables like age, annual income, family type, education level, land holding, extension contact, source of information were significant relationship with knowledge about lime production technology. It was estimated that caste and education level of respondents has nonsignificant correlation with their adoption about lime production technology and another variables like age, annual income, family type, land holding, extension contact, source of information were significant relationship with adoption about lime production technology. The study indicates that 81.00 per cent respondents found in medium constraints group, whereas 10.00 per cent respondents was perceiving high constraints and rest 09.00 per cent were perceiving low constraints about lime production technology. The key aspects “Constraints of plant protection measures” was ranked first by respondents with overall 84.00 MPS and last eight rank “Constraints of cultural practices” With MPS 70.55. The study suggests that:- 1. Farmers should send their soil samples regularly for soil testing to understand the nutrient levels and pH of the soil. Based on the results, amend the soil with the appropriate fertilizers and organic matter to ensure optimal growing conditions for lime. 2. Lime growers should stay vigilant for common pests like aphids, mites, and citrus leaf miners, as well as diseases like citrus canker and citrus greening. Consider integrated pest management (IM) techniques, which focus on using natural predators and organic treatments before resorting to chemical pesticides. 3. Implement a well-designed irrigation system that provides consistent moisture to the lemon trees. Drip irrigation is often preferred to avoid water wastage and minimize the risk of fungal diseases. 4. Government should offer subsidies for farm inputs, specifically plant protection chemicals like pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides. These subsidies could help farmers access these essential inputs at a reduced cost.EnglishThesis