Constraints for Crop Diversification in FCV Tobacco Growing Regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka

Crop diversification intends to bring about a shift from the regional dominance of one crop to a number of crops and also from traditionally grown less remunerative crops to high value crops. The present study was carried out in the FCV (Flue Cured Virginia) tobacco growing regions in selected auction platforms of Northern Light Soils (NLS) and Southern Light & Black Soils (SL&BS) in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Light Soils (KLS) of Karnataka during 2019-20 with an objective to measure the constraints perceived by the FCV tobacco growers on crop diversification. Expost facto research design was used and random sampling technique was employed in selection of respondents. Thirty respondents in each of 3 tobacco regions were selected to make the total sample size of 90 respondents. To measure the constraints faced by the respondents in crop diversification, a suitable schedule was developed and the constraints were ranked accordingly based on the total score by using Henry Garette method of constraint analysis. The findings revealed that infrastructure related factors such as inadequate facilities for value addition, lack of proper storage facilities at harvesting time and lack of drying yards are the severe constraints for crop diversification in NLS region. Resource related challenges viz., rainfed nature and lack of irrigation facilities, timely non-availability of inputs and low input subsidies were identified as key factors hindering the process of crop diversification in SL&BS regions. In case of KLS farmers, socio-psychological factors i.e specific attitude of farmers towards particular crops, demographic conditions mainly small and marginal land holdings of farmers and illiteracy were perceived as major constraints for crop diversification.