Agriculture Update

A. Janaki Rani ¹, P. P. Murugan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Extension, Tapioca and Castor Research Station, Yetahapur, Salem (T.N.), IN
2 Department of Extension Education, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Santhiyur, Salem (T.N.), IN

Abstract

A study was conducted during 2004 to know the suggestions offered by the eco-friendly paddy farmers for the increase use efficiency of eco-friendly agricultural practices in paddy in Pudukottai district in Tamilnadu. The results revealed that provision of credit facilities, subsidy for inputs such as seeds, biofertilizers, bio-pesticides, farm implements etc., adequate training programmes and demonstrations, timely and adequate quantity of inputs and regulated market for marketing the eco-friendly produce were the most important suggestions expressed by more than 80 per cent of farmers to follow the eco-friendly agricultural practices. Creation of awareness about bio pesticides and bio control agents through campaigns, radio, television and news paper, formation of eco- clubs were suggested by more than 70 per cent of the farmers. Introduction of more eco-friendly agricultural practices by research system and providing technical guidance and creation of awareness about the input supply offered by the state and central government were suggested by more than 60 per cent of the farmers. So, the policy makers, development workers, researchers and extension officials should involve effectively to sustain agriculture through eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Keywords

Eco-Friendly Agricultural Practices, Sustainable Agriculture, Paddy Farmers, Suggestions.

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A. Janaki Rani ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development, Home Science College and Research Institute (TNAU), Madurai (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Cassava is an industrial cum commercial crop of Tamil Nadu, India mainly processed for starch and sago. Among 32 districts of Tamil Nadu, Salem district stands first in area, production and productivity. In recent years, the area under Cassava is under threat and the production is not sufficient to meet the industrial demands. Keeping this in view, the study focuses on the various factors responsible for the area shrinkage and yield gap prevailing for major Cassava varieties and intended to develop strategies. The results revealed that majority of the farmers (63.33%) facing a yield gap of 16 to 30 per cent. For different varieties of Cassava the average yield gap is 5.86 t/ac. Introduction of short duration crops like sunflower and maize, Mosaic virus and tuber rot, unavailability of quality planting materials, lack of awareness on improved technologies were the major factors for yield loss. In order to increase the yield/ac awareness has to be given to adopt the recommended technologies and popularization through various extension methods is the need of the hour.

Keywords

Cassava, Yield Gap, Production Technologies, Constraints, Strategies.

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A. Janaki Rani ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Community Science College and Resarch Institute (T.N.A.U.), Madurai (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Vegetables provide smallholder farmers with much higher income and more employment than staple crops. Even though vegetable area is higher in India, the farmers who produce vegetable crops, struggle a lot to bring them up. A wide gap exists between the yields obtained and the potential yields due to non-adoption of scientific technologies. Keeping this in view the study was conducted with 90 vegetable growers in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, India to assess the real technological gaps and yield gaps. The results showed that the major yield gap is due to increasing intensity of pest and diseases and physiological disorders due to climate change viz.,fruit borer (70.00 %), blossom dropping and less fruit setting percentage (68.33 %), sunscald due to high temperature (61.66%), fruit cracking (53.33 %), deformation of fruit and lower quality (51.66%), yellow or green fruit shoulders (46.66%) and okra curling/small size of fruit and hardness of fruit (40.00 %). The major technological gaps are due to non-application of foliar spray / micronutrient spray /growth regulators (100.00 %), non-adoption of IPM packages (77.77%), seed treatment practices with biofertilizers and bio agents (56.66 %), application of recommended quantity of top dressing (63.33) and mulching (50.00%). Improved package of practices can decrease the technology gap; thereby productivity of the crop can be increased.Training programme on improved vegetable production technology along with multiple demonstrations is required to enhance level of knowledge and skills which increase the yield and income.

Keywords

Vegetable Growers, Technology Gap, Technology Index, Production, Productivity.

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