International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Thunga Nikhitha, Dr. RT Katole, Dr. PP Bhople, Dr. AA Bhopale, Dr. NR Koshti and Dr. RS Wankhade

abstract
Mandarin cultivation plays a vital role in the livelihoods of fruit growers in India, especially in Maharashtra. Despite the availability of scientifically recommended fruit drop management practices, a significant adoption gap persists among growers, leading to productivity loss. This study aims to assess the adoption gap, identify the underlying constraints. The present investigation entitled, “Extent of Adoption of fruit drop management practices of Mandarin” was undertaken in two talukas of Amravati district in Maharashtra namely Achalpur and Chandur Bazar. An exploratory research design was used with 120 respondents from 12 villages and analysed by frequency and percentage. The data was collected through face-face interview with the respondents. The results revealed that the majority of respondents (52.50%) were middle-aged, and 49.17% had completed higher secondary education. Most farmers were semi-medium (40.83%), with 45.00 per cent earning between ?4,00,001 and ?8,00,000 annually. A large proportion of respondents (90.84%) reported medium yields ranging from 16 to 30 tons/ha, and 65.84 per cent had 8–20 years of experience in Mandarin cultivation. The main source of irrigation was tubewells (53.34%). Regarding behavioural traits, most farmers showed medium levels of social participation (71.67%), innovativeness (69.16%), risk orientation (64.17%). The study revealed that most Mandarin growers possessed high knowledge of key fruit drop management practices, particularly in pest identification (99.16%), disease control using Bordeaux mixture or Copper Oxychloride (98.33%), soil selection (98.33%), and pruning (98.33%). Moderate knowledge levels were observed for practices like mulching, fertigation, and seasonal spray applications. However, low awareness was recorded for avoiding intercropping with cotton and jowar (49.16%) and the use of Indo-Israel technology with 6×3 m spacing (28.34%), highlighting the need for improved dissemination of advanced orchard management practices. The study revealed high complete adoption of basic practices such as avoiding intercropping (65%), proper NPK application (64.16%), and pruning (50–61.66%), while advanced practices like Indo-Israel technology (5.83%) and hormonal sprays (0.83–3.5%) showed low adoption. Partial adoption was notable for drip irrigation (54.17%), fertigation (52.5%), and growth regulator use (61.67%). The key constraints responsible for this gap included adverse climatic conditions (68.33%), high cost and limited availability of inputs (65.83%), labour-related challenges (64.16%), improper use or lack of awareness of PGRs (63.33%), and limited awareness of PDKV’s SOPs (51.60%).