A Study on Knowledge and Adoption of Vegetable Growers on Safe Plant Protection Measures in Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

This study was conducted in Western Uttar Pradesh. For the investigation two districts Meerut and Hapur were selected from the Western Uttar Pradesh randomly. From each district two blocks were selected i.e. Daurala and Kharkhonda from Meerut and Hapur block and Dhaulana block from Hapur district. From each block four villages were selected purposively. Thus the total 16 villages were selected. The total sample size was of 160 vegetable growers for the investigation. The survey work was conducted through personal interview with the help of interview schedule. Majority of the growers 61.88 percent belongs to age of the above 45 years. Most of the respondents 41.88 percent in study area were 12th passed. Majority of vegetable growers 53.75 percent belonged to OBC caste category The percentage of vegetable growers in joint family system was found 63.75 percent, majority of vegetable growers 55.00 percent were having above 04 members in the family, vegetable growers 80.00 percent were having pucca house, 57.50 per cent vegetable growers were having up to 01-02 ha. of land and belongs to small farmers category, 76.25 percent vegetable growers were depending upon agriculture, 98.75 percent were having mobile phone, 98.11 per cent vegetable growers were having motor cycle as a means of transport facility, growers 70.62 per cent were not participate in any organization activity, majority 68.75 percent vegetable growers having annual income of more than 100,001-200,000, 35.00 percent vegetable growers were having 11-20 years of experience of vegetable cultivation. Majority of 60 percent Vegetable growers were obtained information from neighbours/relatives. Cent percent of Vegetable growers were using smart phone. Regarding knowledge majority of cent percent vegetable growers spray of pesticides opposite side of wind direction 98.13 percent vegetable growers dispose waste water on the field. Regarding adoption majority 97.50 percent vegetable growers were wash contaminate clothes separately and 96.25 percent wash hand and body after pesticides application always. Majority of 90.00 percent of the vegetable growers had lack of technical knowledge and scientific guidance regarding plant protection measure. Majority of 82.50 percent vegetable growers were facing problem that unavailability of required pesticide at village level was the highest problem for vegetable growers, regarding constraints related to institute and vegetable growers had expressed that weak extension services at village level was major problem with 88.12 percent. It was also found that all the vegetable growers had expressed problem of, more incidence of pests and diseases with 60.63 percent.