Constraints Faced by Farmers in Adoption of Mustard Production Technologies under Cluster Front Line Demonstrations in Bikaner District of Rajasthan, India
Kiran Kumari
Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, COA, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
Subhash Chandra
Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, COA, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
Madan Lal Reager *
Department of Agronomy, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to identify and analyse the major problems encountered by beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers in the adoption of mustard production technologies under Cluster Front Line Demonstrations (CFLD). The problems perceived by the respondents were categorized into five major dimensions, viz., input, financial, technical, environmental and marketing problems. Data were collected using a structured schedule and responses were obtained on a two-point continuum. The Mean Percent Score (MPS) was computed to prioritise the severity of problems, and rank correlation was used to examine the similarity in ranking patterns between beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers. The findings revealed that non-availability and high cost of critical inputs, inadequate technical knowledge, climatic aberrations during critical crop stages, and marketing constraints such as low prices and poor market access were the major impediments in effective adoption of recommended mustard production technologies. Overall, the study highlights the need for timely input supply, strengthened extension support, climate-resilient interventions and improved marketing infrastructure to enhance adoption and productivity of mustard under CFLD programmes.
Keywords: Mustard production, CFLD, mustard cultivation, edible oil, rapeseed.