Sugarcane growers’ knowledge level about integrated pest management practices in Haryana

The study was conducted on 120 sugarcane growers from four randomly selected villages of Jagadhari and Radaur blocks from Yamunanagar district in Haryana state. The overall high knowledge score was recorded in cultural and chemical control of insect-pests in sugarcane crop. However, majority of farmers had no knowledge about biological control of insect-pests. Among the ten personal characteristics studied - education, land holding, socio-economic status, extension contact, mass media exposure, risk orientation, economic motivation and change proneness were found to have positive and significant correlation with knowledge level of overall IPM practices of sugarcane growers. There is a need to educate the farmer about the importance and different approaches of IPM in sugarcane crop by using appropriate extension methods.