Research Note 5823 Journal of Extension Education Vol. 29 No. 1, 2017 DOI:https://doi.org/10.26725/JEE.2017.1.29.5823-5826 Constraints Faced by Farmers in Adoption of Organic Plant Protection Practices

K.V. Aparna1 and Allan Thomas2

ABSTRACT The study was conducted in district of with a view to identify the constraints faced by farmers during adoption of organic plant protection practices in vegetables. The three major constraints faced by farmers were crops being affected by drought, lack of proper and timely extension services for transfer of organic technologies and organic produce fetching non-remunerative price. The major suggestions for refinement were regular and frequent farm visits, diagnostic and consultancy by Krishi Bhavan officials and mechanisms to ensure premium price for products derived through organic practices.

Keywords : Organic plant protection practices; extent of adoption; constraints; suggestions

The side-effects of the modern is one among them. Organic farming agricultural chemicals and machines over the last few decades has proved raise serious questions about the overall to be successful; but the differences benefits of the new technology (Oelhaf, in culture, ecology and geographical 1978). Chemical fertilisers and pesticides factors necessitate adoption of situation- pollute our air and water. Agricultural specific principles and techniques. Many chemicals, including hormones and reports recommend popularisation of antibiotics leave residue in food that may biofertilisers and green manures; to cause cancer or genetic damage. Soil and initiate a ‘Green manure perennial planting energy resources are being depleted. The Programme’; mechanical plants for un-sustainability of modern agricultural manufacture of compost in Corporations practices through its unscrupulous use and Municipalities, minimisation of use have led farming communities world over of insecticides; and to take up biological to look for alternatives. The majority and mechanical control of rodents (Nair, of these alternatives call for a back to 1981). The study by Balachandran nature policy, a return to traditional, (2004) reported the non-availability of eco-friendly practices. Organic farming organic plant protection formulations and 1. PG Scholar and 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani- 695 522

Received : 02-10-2017; Accepted : 16-10-2017 5824

Constraints Faced by Farmers in Adoption of Organic Plant Protection Practices

adequate quality organic manure which FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION forced farmers to choose the chemical The constraints faced by the option, much to their dislike. Therefore farmers using organic plant protection constraints faced by the farmers using practices with more focus on vegetable organic plant protection practices need cultivation were identified, documented to be identified and solutions to overcome and ranked. The results are presented in the constraints as perceived by the Table 1. farmers need to be probed. This paper is The primary constraint an attempt in that direction. experienced by the farmers at the time of METHODOLOGY interview was that the crops were severely The study was conducted in affected by drought. Lack of extension Thiruvananthapuram District of service to facilitate transfer of technology Kerala involving 90 small and marginal scientifically on organic plant protection vegetable growers. From the eleven was ranked second . Other major blocks of Thiruvananthapuram District, constraints that followed were, ‘produce three blocks having maximum area fetching same price or even more than under vegetable cultivation were selected. that of the produce obtained through Perumkadavila, and inorganic practices; time consuming Parasala were the three blocks selected for while resorting to organic plant protection the study. From each block one panchayat input preparation, storage and its having maximum area under vegetable application; organic practices are labour cultivation was selected in consultation intensive and non availability cum high with agriculture department officials. cost of labour; krishi bhavan was not Kunnathukal, Chenkal and Nedumangad active in rendering support by way of were the three panchayats selected for helping farmers with quality inputs and the study. From each panchayat, 30 vegetable farmers were selected. Thus a services; lack of crop insurance schemes total of 90 farmers formed the sample. or facilities to help farmers mitigate the A well structured open ended interview loss through price fall or crop loss as a schedule was used for data collection result of practicing organic practices and from the farmer respondents. The results lack of motivation resulting from low price were analyzed with the help of different for organic produce, in the decreasing statistical tools such as frequency, order of importance as perceived by the percentage and rankings. farmers. 5825

Journal of Extension Education

Table 1. Constraints faced by the Farmers in the Adoption of Organic Plant Protection Practices N=90

Sl.No. Constraints Score Rank

Lack of extension service to facilitate transfer of 1 299 2 technology scientifically on organic plant protection

Lack of crop insurance schemes or facilities to help 2 farmers mitigate the loss through price fall or crop 220 7 loss as a result of practicing organic practices

Krishi Bhavan not active in rendering support by 3 way of helping farmers with quality inputs and 234 6 services

Time consuming while resorting to organic 4 plant protection input preparation, storage and 292 4 application.

Low effectiveness and slow action of organic plant 5 120 10 protection chemicals

Lack of knowledge and awareness about organic 6 114 11 plant protection practices

Non availability of subsidies and credit for organic 7 174 9 inputs

8 Crops affected by drought (at the time of interview) 303 1

Organic produce fetched same price or even 9 more than that of the produce obtained through 297 3 inorganic practices

Lack of motivation resulting from low price for 10 181 8 organic agricultural produce

Organic practices are labour intensive/non 11 240 5 availability and exorbitant cost of labour 5826

Constraints Faced by Farmers in Adoption of Organic Plant Protection Practices

The top five suggestions to through focus group discussions are overcome the constraints as perceived by listed in Table 2. the farmers and subsequently finalized Table 2. Distribution of Respondents based on suggestions from Farmers. N=90

Sl No. Suggestions Percentage

Regular and frequent farm visit, diagnostic and consultancy 1 90.44 by Krishi bhavan officials

Availability of low cost organic inputs and feasible 2 88.33 technologies

Inclusion of more no of classes, demonstrations and 3 75.22 seminars about organic plant protection practices

4 Timely access of organic plant protection inputs 70.22

5 Construction of low cost mini dams or water storage facilities 65.22

Majority of the farmers (90.44%) Ambalavayal were the other suggestions suggested that regular and frequent for refinement as perceived by the farmer farm visits, diagnostic and consultancy respondents. by Krishi bhavan officials should be REFERENCES ensured at farm plots with standing crops. ‘Availability of low cost organic Balachandran, V. (2004). Future in the inputs and feasible technologies should Past : A study on the status of organic be provided at the right time in required farming in Kerala. Discussion paper quantity and quality’ was the second no. 82. Kerala research programme popular suggestion as perceived by 88.33 on local level development. per cent of the farmers. Inclusion of more Centre for development studies, number of classes, demonstrations and Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala, 110p. seminars about organic plant protection Nair, J. M. (1981). Report of the One Man practices; followed by farmers right to Commission on the problems of Paddy have timely access to organic inputs and cultivators in Kerala. Govt. of Kerala. the construction of low cost mini dams or water storage facilities like technologies Oelhaf, R. C. (1978). Organic agriculture. developed and popularised by Regional Allanheld, Osmun & Co. Publishers, Agricultural Research station (RARS), Inc. USA.