Study of socio-economic status of vegetable growing community and adoption of improved techniques and varieties in vegetable hub of Malerkotla (Punjab): A survey investigation

A survey study was conducted to investigate the experience, socio-economic status of the vegetable growing community and their adoption of improved techniques and varieties in the vegetable hub of Malerkotla during 2018–19 and 2019–20. The major cropping pattern followed by vegetable growers of Malerkotla is multiple cropping and inter-cropping i.e. Paddy- cucumber+ bitter gourd + capsicum+ onion and Paddy-cucumber + bitter gourd+ chilli + onion occupies more than 56% of the total vegetable area during winter under low-tunnels and summer and earning a net-income of Rs. 1.8 - 2.2 lakhs per acre. Nearly 82% of the growers have not to pay any loan and only 18% have availed the loan facility. Although they have high confidence in private sector varieties but now they have diverted their interest to public sector varieties and have 16- 59% adoption level in different vegetable crops. The government subsidies are not in the reach of these small and marginal farmers as they have mostly leased-in-land and face to difficulty to avail this facility.