Constraints and Suggestions of Orchard Growers after Adopting Subsidiary Crop Cultivation Practices in Fruit Orchards of Southern Rajasthan, India

Abstract

The integration of subsidiary fruits crop cultivation within orchard-based farming systems has emerged as a vital strategy for enhancing farm income, optimizing resource utilization and ensuring sustainability. Despite its recognized benefits, adoption of subsidiary crop practices among orchard growers’ remains limited due to various constraints. The present study investigates the key constraints faced by orchard growers in adopting subsidiary crop cultivation and the suggestions offered to overcome these constraints. Primary data were collected through structured interviews with fruits orchard growers across selected districts using a well-designed interview schedule. A total of 240 respondents were randomly selected for data collection. An Ex-Post-Facto research design was used in the present study. The findings revealed that major constraints include insufficient market linkages (84.41 MPS), limited access to quality inputs (81.74 MPS), low confidence levels (58.13 MPS), financial limitations (57.27 MPS), inadequate technical knowledge (47.80 MPS), lack of irrigation facilities (47.67 MPS), and poor extension contact (47.64 MPS). Additionally, social factors such as poor extension contact (47.64 MPS) and low confidence levels (58.13 MPS) further hinder adoption. Growers suggested improved input supply mechanisms (82.50%), better credit access (70.83%), enhanced training programs (69.50%) and robust extension services as potential measures to support adoption. The study underscores the need for targeted policy interventions and capacity-building initiatives to support orchard growers in diversifying their production through subsidiary crops, thereby strengthening the resilience and profitability of orchard-based farming systems.