BARRIERS PERCEIVED BY TRIBAL FARMERS OF BAIHAR BLOCK OF BALAGHAT DISTRICT (M.P.) IN USING ECO-FRIENDLY FARMING PRACTICES IN PADDY CROP AND SUGGESTED MEASURES TO OVERCOME THEM

NEHA MARKAM¹, CHANDRIKA SHARMA²*, V.K. PYASI^3
1Department of Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Adhartal, Jabalpur, 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India
²Department of Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Adhartal, Jabalpur, 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India
³Department of Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Adhartal, Jabalpur, 482004, Madhya Pradesh, India
* Corresponding Author : chandrikasharma1991@gmail.com

Received : 02-11-2016     Accepted : 24-11-2016     Published : 30-11-2016
Volume : 8     Issue : 58       Pages : 3245 - 3246
Int J Agr Sci 8.58 (2016):3245-3246

Keywords : Barriers, Eco-friendly farming practices, Suggestions
Academic Editor : Aparna Jaiswal
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : None declared
Author Contribution : None declared

The research study was conducted in Baihar block of Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh with the aim of ascertaining the barriers perceived by tribal farmers in utilizing eco-friendly farming practices of paddy crop and the suggestions to recover them. A total of 120 respondents from 10 tribal villages of Baihar block were selected through proportionate random sampling method and frequency, percentage and rank order were the basis of data analysis. The conclusions drawn were the lack of training facilities (93.33%), lack of technical knowledge for using light trap and pheromone trap (91.67%) and lack of demonstrations of different eco-friendly farming practices (89.17%) as the major barriers perceived in utilization of eco-friendly paddy farming practices by the tribal farmers. Among the major suggestions, providing trainings to the farmers on different eco-friendly farming practices eg. SRI Technique, Use of bio-fertilizers etc. (90.00%), provision of proper soil testing facility to farmers for balance nutrient supply (87.50%), and frequent contact of field level extension workers with farmers for creating a positive perception and improving utilization regarding these practices (85.00%) headed the study.