An analysis of sustainable cultivation practicies followed by sugarcane growers in Karnataka

Abstract

The present study entitled An analysis of sustainable cultivation practices followed newlineby sugarcane growers in Karnataka was conducted in the year 2005-06 in Belgaum and newlineBagalkot districts of Karnataka with a sample of 180 respondents. The expost-facto research newlinedesign was used for the research study. Knowledge test was developed to measure the newlineknowledge of respondents about sustainable cultivation practices in sugarcane. newlineThe study revealed that both knowledge and extent of adoption of respondents were newlineat moderate level. Cent per cent of the respondents had knowledge about preparing land into newlineridges and furrows, selecting setts from main crop, FYM in soil helps to increase nutrient newlineavailability and water holding capacity, mulching reduces evaporation rate and weeds and newlinechemical tool of IPM. Majority had no knowledge regarding vermicompost and biofertilizer newline(Azotobacter/Azospirillum). newlineMajority had adopted inorganic manures, deep tillage to incorporate left over debris, newlinedipping setts in 0.1 carbendazim and planting disease free setts. Majority had medium newlinetechnological gap (62.77%) and favourable attitude (65.00%) towards sustainable cultivation newlinepractices. newlineEducation, management orientation, extension contact and achievement motivation newlineof respondents had significant relationship with knowledge and extent of adoption. The newlineregression analysis revealed that the selected independent variables put together explained newline39.42 and 43.18 per cent variation in knowledge and adoption, respectively. The step-down newlineanalysis indicated that farming experience, attitude, extension contact and organizational newlineparticipation had significant contribution in variation of knowledge and adoption. newlineAround 50.00 per cent respondents had middle age, primary and middle school newlineeducation, medium land holding and farming experience. Whereas, medium level in risk newlineorientation, management orientation, achievement motivation, innovative proneness, deferred newlinegratification and favourable attitude. newlineMajority had awareness about Sugarcane Factory Extension Offic