Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Thakker BN, Zala MB and Patel JK

Abstract:
Keeping in view the importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in paddy, a study was conducted in was conducted in Mehmedabad Taluka of Kheda district (Gujarat) with an objective to find out the knowledge level of IPM practices among paddy growers. Primary data were collected from 100 respondents from five villages of Mehmedabad Taluka using random sampling method. Well-structured and pre-tested interview schedule was used for data collection, using personal interview. The study revealed that majority (45.00%) of respondents was belonging to middle age group. More than one third (35.00%) of respondents were belonging to young age and only 20.00 percent of farmers were belonging to old age group. It was found that Equal percentages (30.00 percent) had higher secondary as well as Secondary level of education followed by 18.00 percent from them had graduate level of education. Slightly more than one third (41.00 percent) of the respondents having medium size (2.1 to 4 ha) of land holdings followed by 31.00 percent of the respondents having large size of land holding (> 4 ha). The study showed that 40.00 percent of the respondents were dependent on farming and animal husbandry while, 30.00 percent of the respondents engaged in farming, labor and animal husbandry. Nearly two fifth (42.00 percent) of the respondents had Rs. 2,00,001/- to 4,00,000/- income per year. The study revealed that half (50.00 percent) of the respondents found in very low category of knowledge of overall IPM. Only 15.00 percent of the respondents found in high level category of knowledge of overall IPM. Only 13.00 percent of the respondents found in low category of knowledge of overall IPM. Only 13.00 percent of the respondents were found in medium category of knowledge of overall IPM. Only 9.00 of the respondents were found in very high category of knowledge of overall IPM.