Study on knowledge and adoption of improved cultivation practices of mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco) Growers in Nagaland, India

Knowledge of improved technologies and rate of adoption are complementary to each other. Modernization of the farming sector through the acquisition of knowledge and the adoption of improved technologies is meant for sustainable livelihood improvement and socio-economic up-scaling of the rural community. This paper attempts to assess the knowledge and adoption of improved cultivation practices of mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) growers in Nagaland, India. The study was conducted in predominantly mandarin growing areas of Nagaland, India. Altogether, 120 experienced mandarin grower from 2 mandarin growing districts (namely, Kohima and Wokha) were purposively selected. The data were collected through a pre-structured interview schedule and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. The study showed that the majority (75.84%) of the respondents had a medium level of knowledge and adopted improved cultivation practices. The majority of the mandarin growers had a higher level of knowledge on the package of practices viz., site selection, planting material, intercultural operations, diseases, pests, harvesting, and packaging, while the farmers had no awareness and adoption of irrigation and application of fertilizers. The study also shows that most mandarin growers did not adopt practices viz., budded planting material, planting method, pesticide, manures, grading and storage, while partially adopted mulching and pruning. Further, various socio-economic factors of respondents had established a positive and significant association with knowledge level and status of adoption of improved mandarin cultivation practices of respondents.