Vol. 12, Special Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
Amit Paghadar and Dr. Mehul G Thakkar

Abstract:
In an agrarian economy like ours, agriculture productivity is of vital importance for farmers’ economic wellbeing and national prosperity. When it comes to crop yield, the losses due to attack of various pests and insects need to be minimized. In this regard, rational use of various insecticides play an important role as it protects crops from insects; by either killing them or preventing their attack. They assist in keeping the number of pests under the appropriate threshold level and thereby contribute to increasing yield of the crop. For ensuring rational use of insecticides, it is necessary that the farmers should be aware about various aspects related to use of insecticides. In this regard, the present Empirical Research Study assesses the farmers’ awareness and buying behaviour for insecticides in terms of factors influencing purchase of insecticides for sesame crop. It also analyzes their problems in purchase of insecticides for sesame crop. The study was conducted in the Jamnagar District of the vibrant Gujarat State; wherein sesame is one of the major crops and many cumin varieties are grown in summer season. Based on a rigorous survey of 120 farmers selected through multi stage sampling method, this study found that the farmers are aware regarding pesticides dosage, bio pesticides and pesticides solution preparation; but are found to be unaware about types of sprayers, different brands and ironically about the time of spray. Farmers mostly relied on past experience, dealer recommendation and brand image of the company while buying insecticides. The major problems faced by farmers include high price, no discount, poor quality of products, fear of adulteration and product availability.