Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

DETERMINATION OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS ADOPTION OF SCIENTIFIC PINEAPPLE CULTIVATION IN WEST GARO HILLS DISTRICT OF MEGHALAYA

B. R. Marak, A. K. Bandyopadhyay, B. Lahiri and K. Reang

Abstract

The study was conducted during February 2013 to June 2013, in Rongram block and Dadenggre block of West Garo Hills district, Meghalaya with the objective to find out the factors contributing towards adoption of scientific pineapple cultivation in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. Various problems perceived by the farmers in adoption of scientific method of pineapple cultivation, such as production constraints, technological constraints, marketing constraints and economic constraints were identified in the study. Then the items under various constraints were ranked based on their frequency and percentage. ‘High infestation of pest and diseases’ (96%), ‘lack of knowledge about improved practices’ (71%), ‘lack of suitable agricultural development technology’ (70%), ‘lack of proper marketing channel’ (83%) and ‘non-availability of insurance when crop failed’ (81%) were some of the major constraints identified in the study. The study further indentified the measures suggested by farmers to overcome the problems faced by them in pineapple cultivation practices.