Abstract:
It is commonly observed that there is a wide gap between the technology
generated in research stations and its actual use by the clientale. It is with this view
in mind that the present study was undertaken to identify the gaps in the adoption of
plant protection practices by commercial vegetable growers in Thrissur District. The
relationship between personal, situational and psychological characteristics of
commercial vegetable farmers and their adoption was also studied. The constraints
in the adoption process were also subjected to analysis.
The study was conducted in Thrissur district. The sample consisted of
150 farmers from the three selected panchayats for the study. Data were collected
using pretested and well structured interview schedule and suitable statistical
techniques were employed in the analysis of the data.
A prime aspect observed during the course of this study was the non-
availability of simple and more compatible plant protection technology thus forcing
the farmers to accept the failures of applying complex plant protection technology.
Lack of adequate and effective linkage between various extension
o
agencies and research institutions in transfer of technology has led to the
confinement of the improved plant protection technology within the research
institutions. This has resulted in the non-availability of many an improved
technology to the farmers thereby resulted in an unwaranted gap in the adoption of
improved plant protection practices by commercial vegetable farmers.
The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that cosmopoliteness,
information source utilisation and scientific orientation as the important variables
tDJ
explaining maximum variation in the extent of adoption and level of knowledge
about improved plant protection practices by commercial vegetable farmers.
The important constraints perceived by the farmers were increased cost of
plant protection chemicals, difficulty in preparation/application of pp chemicals,
difficulty in the selection of alternate chemicals, inadequacy of capital, non-
availability of labour and lack of knowledge about technology.
The results point vividly to the prime need for strengthening the extension
education efforts of the field functionaries to reduce the gap with respect to the
adoption of improved plant protection practices by commercial vegetable farmers.
