Enhancing Productivity and Livelihoods of Farm Women through Ecologically Safe Integrated Crop Management Practices in Ridge Gourd

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Gollapally village of Shamshabad Mandal, Rangareddy District to evaluate the effectiveness of ecologically safe Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices in ridge gourd cultivation among farm women through on-farm demonstrations. The specific objectives were to demonstrate ICM practices as an eco-friendly intervention, to assess their effect on yield and cost economics, and to study drudgery-related constraints faced by farm women. The study was carried out with 25 farm women respondents during the cropping season under frontline demonstration approach. Data were collected on knowledge level of farm women regarding ICM practices, yield parameters, pest incidence, and economic returns, and compared with farmers’ conventional practices. The results revealed that farm women possessed adequate knowledge of basic agronomic practices but had limited awareness of critical components such as improved varieties, seed treatment, micronutrient management, and eco-friendly pest control measures. Adoption of ICM practices resulted in an 87.5% increase in fruit yield (13.5 t acre⁻¹) compared to farmers’ practice (7.2 t acre⁻¹) along with a reduction in fruit fly damage (11.6%). Despite a marginal increase in cost of cultivation, net returns (Rs. 1,92,800 acre⁻¹) and benefit–cost ratio (3.5:1) were substantially higher under ICM practices. The study concludes that ecologically safe ICM practices not only enhance productivity and profitability but also contribute to reduced drudgery and improved occupational safety of farm women, thereby promoting sustainable vegetable cultivation.