Pineapple Cultivation in Tripura: Differential Knowledge and Adoption of Scientific Practices and their Determinants

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the most important commercial crops in Tripura providing a source of farm livelihood and economic security. The government has taken several steps to boost pineapple production in the state by promoting scientific cultivation practices and effective marketing infrastructure. Present study was undertaken to assess knowledge and adoption of scientific practices by pineapple growers and their determinants. Probability proportionate random sampling technique was followed to select 80 farmers as respondents. Farmers had knowledge on different aspects of pineapple cultivation at varied level with average knowledge index value 64.92. They adopted recommendation of growing pineapple on suitable soil, improved variety, proper time of planting, using proper planting material, proper weed management, giving proper irrigation, harvesting, etc.; however, the level of overall adoption was low with mean adoption index value 35.13. Bridging the gap of about 30 per cent between farmers’ knowledge and adoption level of scientific pineapple cultivation techniques is the need of the hour. Education, land holding, annual income, expenditure and communication sources use pattern (localite sources and mass media) have significantly determined more than 50 per cent variations in both knowledge and adoption level; thus, drawing attention of advisories for improving pineapple production through upscaling scientific cultivation practices.