Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
K Shanmuga Priya, T Samsai, S Selvam and K Mahendran

Abstract:
Maize is the third most important crop in the world due to high source of nutrients and are used as food, feed and the raw material for multitude of industries. At present, maize farmers from all over the world are facing a serious issue due to fall armyworm attack which causes reduction in the quantity and quality of maize and increases the cost of plant protection chemicals. In order to tackle this worsening situation of maize growers, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University introduced an IPM technology capsule for management of the fall armyworm. In this context, the present study was undertaken to examine the profitability of adoption of TNAU technology capsule for maize fall armyworm in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. For this study, stratified random sampling methd was adopted. A total of 180 sample farmers which consists of 90 technology capsule adopters and 90 non-adopters were selected by using stratified random sampling. According to the results, it could be concluded that 44 per cent of farmers had high level of awareness followed by 40 per cent of farmers had medium level of adoption of TNAU technology capsule. More than 50 per cent of sample farmers partially adopted the TNAU technology capsule, while only around 20 per cent completely adopted the TNAU technology capsule. TNAU technology capsule adopter’s of net revenue (Rs. 21895/ha) was higher than non-adopter’s net revenue (Rs. 8464/ha). The farmers who used the TNAU technology capsule earned (Rs. 13042/ha) more profit than the non-adopted farmers. The high input costs, lack of proper knowledge of technology capsule, and lack of availability of subsidies for all inputs were the main constraints faced by the sample farmers for the adoption of TNAU technology capsule. The efforts like increasing the number of result demonstrations and awareness campaign to inform farmers of the profitability that can be earned by adopting TNAU technology capsule can be taken.