An Analysis of Cultivation Practices in the Arecanut of Tumakuru District of Karanataka

Abstract

The present study was carried out during the year 2024, in Tumakuru districts of karnataka. It was carried out in K. palasandra, guleharave, hale gubbi and gubbimanekere villages. It was based on EX- post facto research design with structured interview schedule. It was observed that 60.00 per cent arecanut growers were observed in the middle age category with their ages ranging between 30 to 50 years, most of the arecanut growers were educated, 45.84 percent of them belong to general category, 33.33 percent belong to upto 5 ac of land holding, 69.18 percent belong to cultivation only, 100.00 percent of them have sprayer and electric motor, 60.83 percent of them have less than 15 yrs of experience, 75.84 percent had membership in one organization, more than three-fouth of them have innovative proneness of 16-25, 40.00 percent were belonging to income group of Rs. 1,00,001 to 5,00,000 and 89.17 percent have medium information seeking behaviour. It was observed that most of the arecanut growers were having medium knowledge about recommended package of practices in arecanut production, these were higher in method of irrigation, mulching and chemical fertilizer application time in arecanut production. It was observed that most of the arecanut growers had moderate level of adoption of recommended package of practices in arecanut production. These were, however, higher in case of chemical fertilizer application time and mulching. Wide gap was found between recommended technologies and adopted technology in use of intercropping and varieties in arecanut cultivation, while lowest technological gap was found in chemical fertilizer application time in arecanut cultivation. Most important reasons behind the non-adaptation of recommended package of practices of arecanut was due to crop duration. Major challenges encountered by the farmers are pest and diseases.