International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
A Anil Kumar, Gunturi Alekhya, Shwetha Maruti Suryavanshi, B Manjunatha, Anil Kumar ST and Virshetty

abstract
Mustard is the second most important oilseed crop in India, with mustard oil being a favoured cooking choice, especially in northern India, due to its health benefits and distinctive pungency. However, traditional mustard varieties contain over 40 percent erucic acid, which has been associated with various health risks. To address the need for improved nutritional quality, the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi developed Pusa Mustard-30, a variety with less than 2 percent erucic acid, making it a much healthier option for consumers. This study analyses the information networking structure of both adopters and non-adopters of the Pusa Mustard-30 variety, using a sample of 160 farmer households from Baghpat (U.P.) and Jhajjar (Haryana). The study identified the sources from which farmers received information about the PM-30 variety. It was found that 35% of the information came from "friends/neighbours/relatives." By comparing the characteristics of respondents based on their information sources, the study mapped the information networking structure of adopters and found that many adopters obtained information from various sources, such as 16.67% from IARI scientists and 26.47% from private agencies. Similarly, information networks for non-adopters of the PM-30 variety were assessed, revealing that 63.8% of non-adopters received information through friends, neighbours, and relatives. This indicates that information from these sources plays a limited role in the adoption of the PM-30 variety, as it is primarily adopted for its health benefits rather than for commercial production.