A Study on Adoption Level of Different Recommended Agricultural Practices by Farmers in Kharar Division of Punjab

Abstract

Since agriculture employs half of all workers worldwide, it is the largest employer and the economic engine of rural India. Rural India's development in relation to national development would be reflected in the development of agriculture [1]. Agriculture and allied industries are without a doubt the greatest employer in India, particularly in the vast rural areas. A vital basis for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is also provided by it.  The agriculture industry in India contributes considerably to the economy, accounting for around 18.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). All of the procedures that a farmer follows from seed to seed, from seed sowing through seed harvesting and storage, are referred to as agronomical practices. A study on agronomic practices followed by 120 farmers from five villages viz. Shakrullapur (28 farmers), Rora (30 farmers), Bibipur (22 farmers), Batta (18 farmers) and Fatehpur-Theri (22 farmers) was considered.The data collected from the respondents include major crops grown, seed rate followed by respondents, fertilizer dose followed, major weeds affecting, major plant diseases, major insect and pests, harvesting methods and yield records. As per the data collected, wheat is cultivated by nearly 87% of the farmers in this region and 100% farmers who are growing wheat, agreed that the Phalaris minor is the major weed affecting the wheat production. The data collected from the farmers shows that, only 59% of the farmers are following recommended seed rate. Sheath blight and Yellow rust are the two major diseases affecting paddy and wheat respectively. And the major pests affecting the production in rice and wheat are grasshoppers and aphids respectively.In order to secure the best crop growth and highest yields, the study's findings showed that farmers used the most recent technology in the fields.