International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
PR Yande, AS Lad, RP Kadam, SR Jakkawad and DS Perke

abstract
The present study entitled “Assessment of Knowledge and Adoption of Pest Management Practices under the Crop Pest Surveillance and Advisory Project (CROPSAP) among Cotton Growers” was conducted to assess the impact of CROPSAP interventions on the knowledge and adoption levels of beneficiary and non-beneficiary cotton growers. The project aims to strengthen pest surveillance and promote the adoption of scientific pest management practices among farmers through timely advisories and field demonstrations. The present study was conducted in Kandhar, Loha and Ardhapur tehsils which were purposively selected from Nanded district of Marathwada region of Maharashtra State. A comparative analysis was carried out between 75 beneficiary and 75 non-beneficiary cotton growers selected through a random sampling method from the study area. The findings revealed that a majority of the beneficiary farmers possessed a higher level of knowledge and adoption compared to their non-beneficiary counterparts. All beneficiaries (100%) knew about removing pink bollworm-infested rosette flowers, whereas only 86.67% of non-beneficiaries were aware. Knowledge of using Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (Trichocards) was 72.00% for beneficiaries and 41.33% for non-beneficiaries, while awareness of pheromone trap installation was 93.33% and 72.00%, respectively. Awareness of the first spray schedule (NSKE 5% or Azadirachtin) was 92.00% among beneficiaries versus 78.67% non-beneficiaries; second spray knowledge was 77.33% and 60.00%; third spray knowledge was 70.67% and 44.00%; and fourth spray knowledge was 74.67% and 49.33%. Beneficiaries (53.33%) were also more aware than non-beneficiaries (36.00%) about avoiding early pyrethroid sprays to prevent whitefly outbreaks. Knowledge about conserving beneficial insects was 86.67% for beneficiaries and 64.00% for non-beneficiaries; Verticillium lecanii usage was 78.67% and 57.33%; NSKE or Azadirachtin for sucking pests, 92.00% and 70.67%; sticky traps, 90.67% and 65.33%; recommended insecticides for sucking pests, 81.33% and 60.00%; Acephate or Chlorpyrifos for mealy bugs, 88.00% and 70.67%; and mite management, 89.33% and 61.33%, respectively.