MSc

The present study entitled “Technology utilization of banana in Thiruvananthapuram district” conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district involved 90 commercial banana growers, with 30 each from Kalliyoor, Vembayam and Vellanadu panchayaths, during the period, 2015-2016. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of adoption of selected KAU practices in banana cultivation and analyse the constraints experienced by the banana growers with suggestions for refinement of practices as perceived by the farmers.
Fifteen independent variables viz., age, education, farm size, area under banana cultivation, risk orientation, innovativeness, economic motivation, credit orientation, extension contact, market perception, experience in banana cultivation, number of trainings under gone, information source utilization pattern, extend of commercialization and farmers attitude towards scientific technologies were selected through judges rating. The level of adoption was the dependent variable. Nineteen recommended practices in banana cultivation were selected in consultation with subject matter specialists.
On analysis of data, it was found that majority of farmers belonged to middle aged group (58.9%) and had medium educational status (44.4%). With respect to farm size 48.9% of farmers had 0.5-1acre of land and 62.2% of them had 0.5-1acre of land under banana cultivation. Majority of farmers had medium, risk orientation (57.8%), innovativeness (71.1%), economic motivation (67.8%), credit orientation (48.9%), extension contact (48.9%), information source utilization (54.4%) attitude of farmers towards scientific technologies (64.4%) and low market perception (55.6%). Thirty two per cent of respondents had 6 to 10 years of experience in banana cultivation. Majority of farmers had attended one training (38.9%) and 68.9% of farmers sold their products in domestic marketing.
The two recommended practices adopted by majority of farmers were irrigation (88.9%) and propping (83.3%). Farmer respondents were categorized to different adopter categories as explained by Rogers (1982). According to the findings major portion of farmers were early adopters (35.5%) followed by late
adopters (34.4%), laggards (15.5%), early majority (13.3%) and 1.1% of the farmers were innovators.
The main factors of influences on technology adoption of recommended practices were risk orientation, economic motivation, farmer’s attitude towards new technologies and extension contact at 5% significance followed by educational status at 1% significance.
Perceived usefulness was high for propping (57.8%) and double sucker planting (55.6%). Perceived effectiveness was high for intercropping with cucumber and amaranthus (56.67%) and irrigation (53.3%). Technology needs assessment as perceived by commercial banana growers revealed that maximum need was observed for pre harvest bunch spray and high density planting.
The major constraints as perceived by commercial banana growers in adopting selected banana cultivation practices recommended by KAU were plant protection chemicals are not effective in their recommended dosage, lack of awareness about correct dosage of chemical fertilizers, high cost of labour, climate change influences on pest intensity and attack of insect pest and diseases. Most commonly used ITK practice was smearing cowdung on sucker for speedy bud initiation. The important suggestions for refinement of technologies as perceived by farmers were standard package of practice recommendation for intercropping banana with tubers, make chemical control of pest and diseases sustainable and quality assurance / enhancement of tissue culture planting materials.
Farmers are aware of most of the technologies but are not adopting it in a desired level. This points out the need for more field demonstrations to convince the farmers about the utility of scientific technologies.