The findings on the extent of adoption of recommended horticulture technology are given below. The interferences from Table 1 reveal the following.
Table 1: Distribution of respondents according to their adoption of NHM
N=120
|
S.No
|
TECHNOLOGIES
|
Number of Respondents of adoption
|
Percent
|
No. of Not Adoption
|
Percent
|
|
A
|
Varieties
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended Varieties for horticulture crops
|
110
|
91.66
|
10
|
8.33
|
|
B
|
Soil types
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Soil preferred for horticulture crop cultivation
|
100
|
83.33
|
20
|
16.66
|
|
C
|
Nursery Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended nursery
|
90
|
75.00
|
30
|
25.00
|
|
2
|
Recommended method of sowing
|
100
|
83.33
|
20
|
16.66
|
|
D
|
Field Preparation
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended field preparation
|
80
|
66.66
|
40
|
33.33
|
|
2
|
Recommended quantity of FYM
|
100
|
83.33
|
20
|
16.66
|
|
E
|
Planting Season
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Proper season for planting
|
110
|
91.66
|
10
|
8.33
|
|
F
|
Pit size
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended pit size
|
30
|
25.00
|
90
|
75.00
|
|
G
|
Spacing
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended spacing for horticulture crops
|
60
|
50.00
|
60
|
50.00
|
|
2
|
Correct depth of panting
|
62
|
51.66
|
58
|
48.33
|
|
H
|
Irrigation
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Time of first irrigation
|
110
|
91.66
|
10
|
8.33
|
|
2
|
Time of life irrigation
|
100
|
83.33
|
20
|
16.67
|
|
I
|
Weed Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended time for the first weeding
|
72
|
60.00
|
48
|
40.00
|
|
2
|
Recommended interval for weed control
|
80
|
66.66
|
40
|
33.33
|
|
J
|
Application of fertilizers
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended quantity of urea as a basal application
|
90
|
75.00
|
30
|
25.00
|
|
2
|
Recommended quantity of phosphatic fertilizers
|
46
|
38.33
|
74
|
61.66
|
|
3
|
Methods of application
|
72
|
60.00
|
48
|
40.00
|
|
K
|
Inter crop
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended intercrop
|
70
|
58.33
|
50
|
41.66
|
|
L
|
Micronutrient application
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended micro nutrients for flowers
|
68
|
56.66
|
52
|
43.33
|
|
M
|
Plant protection measures
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Recommended insecticide for red hairy caterpillar
|
46
|
38.33
|
74
|
61.66
|
|
2
|
Recommended fungicide for black leaf spot disease
|
56
|
46.66
|
64
|
53.33
|
|
3
|
Recommended fungicide for powdery mildew disease
|
62
|
51.66
|
58
|
48.33
|
|
N
|
Harvest
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Optimum time of harvest
|
72
|
60.00
|
48
|
40.00
|
The findings in Table 1 are presented below.
Selection of recommended varieties
The majority (91.66%) of the NHM beneficiaries in this study adopt the recommended variety of horticulture crops in their cultivation. Only a meagre 8.33 percent of the respondents do not adopt recommended varieties as they continue to use the traditional local varieties in the study area. The reason for non-adoption is that many local varieties have a strong local market, and their profits, combined with lower production costs, encourage the farming community to cultivate them for years.
Soil type
Regarding soil preference for horticulture crops, the majority (83.33 per cent) of respondents in this study are aware of and follow the recommendations of the State Department of Horticulture. About 16.66 per cent of farmers raise flower crops in unsuitable lands, and they feel that even the low productivity fetches them more money than raising any other agricultural or horticultural crops in their locality. Most horticulture farmers in the study area who raised crops in preferred soils have achieved greater productivity gains and profits over an extended period. This has led the majority of horticulture farmers to cultivate various flower crops in soils, based on scientific evaluations in their respective fields.
Nursery management
In nursery management, the majority (75.00%) of the horticulture farmers follow the recommended methods for raising their nursery. Currently, in nurseries recommended by development departments, extension workers must strictly follow the recommendation on greenhouse practices; otherwise, it will lead to production and economic losses. So, the majority follow the recommended method in nursery preparation. About 25.00 per cent of flower growers do not follow the recommended practices due to their low socio-economic status and traditional methods, yet they have their own tailor-made methods or farm innovations to manage their nurseries and raise floriculture seedlings.
About the recommended method of sowing, the majority of the respondents (83.33
%) in this study follow the recommended sowing methods. The reason for this outcome is that the majority followed this recommended practice due to the low costs incurred during sowing and the relatively high benefits of using these productive technologies. About 16.66 per cent of farmers do not adopt the recommended method of sowing as they are not aware of the scientific methods advocated by the State Department of Horticulture under the National Horticulture Mission.
Field preparation
With regard to the preparation of fields for raising floriculture crops, more than half of the respondents (66.66%) adopt the recommended field preparation methods. About 33.33 per cent do not adopt the recommended field preparation methods, as they follow their own traditional tillage practices, which were passed down by their forefathers involved in flower cultivation to the application of the recommended quantity of farmyard manure, the majority of the flower growers (83.33 %) adopt the recommended quantity of farmyard manure. About
16.66 per cent do not apply the recommended FYM as they do not possess animals, nor do their villages have sufficient cattle population, and rely on chemical fertilisers, which are mostly cost-effective in flower cultivation.
Planting season
The majority of floriculture farmers (91.66%) follow the recommended planting season, as it improves flower crop production and increases profits. A meagre portion of the population (8.33%) does not adhere to the recommended planting season and instead follows their own traditional schedules based on Tamil months. Being elderly farmers and traditional in nature, they do not advocate for more scientifically recommended horticultural technologies in the study area.
Pit size
Regarding pit size, the majority (75.00 %) of the respondents in this study do not follow the recommended pit size under flower cultivation. The pits are usually dug by farm labourers who are less skilled and traditionally oriented. Due to labour scarcity, flower growers must carry out all farm operations with the available labour at their disposal. These are the possible reasons for not following the recommended pit size in the study area. About 25.00 per cent of the farmers follow the recommended pit size, having realised the benefits of achieving a good crop stand in their fields, which ensures them good profits.
Spacing
Half (50.00%) of the respondents both follow and do not follow the recommended spacing in flower crop cultivation. The unavailability of skilled labour restricts small and marginal farmers in the study area from following the recommended spacing in flower crop cultivation. On the other hand, the remaining 50 per cent do follow the recommended spacing in the study area as they have realised its productive and economic benefits. About the correct depth of planting, more than half of the respondents (51.66%) in this study follow the recommended depth of planting. About 48.33 per cent of the respondents do not follow the spacing recommendation because they are unaware of it in the respective flower crops.
Irrigation
About the recommended time of first irrigation, the majority (91.66 per cent) of the respondents in this study adopt it. The first irrigation of floriculture crops plays a vital role in maintaining a proper crop stand in the field and promoting the crop's growth. So, the majority of the flower cultivating farmers follow the recommendation to irrigate their respective farm fields. A meagre (8.33 %) does not follow the recommendation, as they follow traditional irrigation management practices based on established conventions in their farming systems.
In life irrigation, about 83.33 per cent of respondents follow the recommended practices to save their crop from losses. About 16.67 per cent of the respondents rely on traditional life migration methods instead of following the recommended life irrigation schedules in this study area, which are relatively cheap compared to modern irrigation technologies.
Weed management
In following the recommended time for first weeding, the majority (60.00%) adhere to the recommended weed management practices, while 40.00% do not, as weeding infestation varies from field to field and its control or management also varies depending on the weeding schedule. In places of acute labour scarcity, farmers who employ labour in flower cultivation do not follow the recommended schedules for weeding.
In recommending the intervals of weeding in flower crops, the majority of the respondents (66.67%) follow these intervals at different stages of crop growth. About 33.33 per cent do not follow the recommended intervals, as weeding varies between fields based on weed infestation, labour availability, resources at their disposal.
Application of fertilizers
The majority of the respondents (75.00%) follow the recommended quantity of urea as a basal dose. Since it assists in the proper establishment of crop stands in the field, it also supports the vegetative growth stages of flower crops in the study area. However, 25.00 per cent do not follow the recommended quantity and instead use a basal application of urea in their own conventional measurements, suited to the size of their respective fields in this study.
About following the recommended quantity of phosphatic fertilisers, the majority (61.66%) of the floriculture farmers in the study area follow the recommended quantity of
Phosphatic fertilizers as it aids in their improved flower cultivation in the study area. About
25.00 per cent of farmers do not follow this recommendation as they are resource-poor, belonging to small and marginal farmers in this study, and the phosphatic fertilisers are also very costly to them. Their failure to follow the proper fertiliser schedules is affecting their flower production and productivity, which they do not realise. Their poor economic status also does not allow them to purchase and use it. Further subsidising it and providing it to them at less cost will improve its usage and benefit small and marginal farmers in the study area.
In methods of application, the majority (60.00%) of the floriculture farmers in this study follow recommended practices such as basal application and fertigation. However, 40.00 per cent of the farmers do not follow the recommended methods for applying phosphatic fertilisers and instead use their own conventional and traditional methods in the study area. The reason is their resource-poor nature and the absence of fertigation devices to apply fertilisers in their respective farm fields.
Intercrop cultivation
The majority (58.33%) of the respondents cultivate the recommended intercrops to gain more remuneration. However, 41.66 per cent do not adopt the recommended intercrops but instead grow intercrops of their choice due to market needs, their animals' needs, etc. Providing more subsidies for raising intercrops will assist the farming community, particularly small and marginal farmers in the study area, to follow recommended intercrops which will be economically remunerative to them.
Micronutrient application
Regarding micronutrient application for raising flower crops, the majority (56.66%) adopt the recommended micronutrient doses in their flower cultivation. About 43.33 per cent do not follow the recommended micronutrient but do apply micronutrients in conventional established doses. A few farmers are also not aware of micronutrient deficiency symptoms and the management measures to be followed to save production-related losses in the study area.
Plant protection measures
Regarding plant protection measures, the majority (61.66%) do not follow the recommended insecticide for red hairy Caterpillar. The remaining 38.33 per cent alone follow the recommended management measures towards controlling the red hairy caterpillar menace in the study area. The absence of proper awareness about the control measures, the absence of the
The relevance of pesticides in the nearby input shapes and the increased influence of farmers on input dealers might be the possible reasons behind this study's outcome.
More awareness campaigns on crop protection measures need to be advocated through NHM in the study area so that the farming community, mostly small and marginal farmers, can effectively utilise them and derive their economic benefits.
Recommended fungicide for leaf spot disease
The majority (53.33%) of floriculture farmers in the study area do not follow the recommended fungicide for leaf spot disease. The remaining 46.66 per cent follow the recommended fungicide in the study. The lack of proper awareness about the recommended fungicide and its unavailability at the nearby input dealer shop might be the reasons behind this study's outcome.
Recommended fungicide for powdery mildew disease
The majority (51.66%) of the respondents in this study follow the recommended fungicide for controlling powdery mildew disease in the study area. Being a persistent pest in flower cultivation, powdery mildew is responsible for many productions and productivity-linked losses. This has led the majority to follow the recommended fungicide to control this menace. However, the remaining 48.33 per cent of farmers do not follow this recommendation because the common fungal disease in the study area affects all parts of the plant but does not cause significant damage to their crops. Low levels of powdery mildew do not reduce plant growth and flowering, but severe infestation is found to affect them. Only when the powdery mildew infestation is severe. The small and marginal farmers adopt control measures by either following the recommended guidelines or relying on the advice of nearby input dealers in the study area.
Harvest
Regarding the optimum time of harvest, the Majority of the respondents (60.00 per cent) in this study adopt the recommended time of harvest. The optimum harvest time decides the marketability of the flower crops across geographies. However, 40.00 per cent of flower farmers do not follow the optimum time of harvest as the flower market prices fluctuate on a day-to-day and hour-to-hour basis. So, even if the flowers are small, the farmers derive profits based on the demand and supply situation. The farmers harvest their flowers based on market trends rather than waiting for the optimum harvest time in the study area.
