Extent of Use of Different Sources for Cultivation of Vegetable Crops by Vegetable Growers of Ludhiana district of Punjab

The study was conducted to know the extent of use of different sources for purchasing and using insecticides and cultivating vegetable crops. A sample of 150 vegetables growers having at least one acre area under vegetable cultivation in Ludhiana district was selected. Extent of use of different sources was measured by calculating the means scores of each source. Study findings revealed that about 50 per cent of the vegetable growers always purchased insecticides from authorized dealers and large majority never used the government institutions for this purpose. They always consulted the insecticide dealers for insecticides use whereas only 16 per cent of vegetable growers got the information from package and practices of vegetable crops of PAU, Ludhiana. Only negligible percentage of vegetables growers always consulted Markfed Officers for Insecticides use. Majority of vegetables growers always sought the advice from private sector for cultivation of their vegetable crops. In this regard ninety percent of the vegetables growers never consulted the Markfed Officials, District Extension Specialists (Vegetables) of KVKs and KRIBHCO officials. Since majority of vegetables growers had never consulted the government and semi government institutions and their publications for acquiring information related to use of insecticides for cultivation of vegetable crop. And this may be the reason that they were using non recommended practices of vegetable cultivation. So, there is need to create awareness among vegetable growers regarding authenticated sources of information. Further, strong linkages should be established between vegetable growers and Subject Matter Specialists (vegetables).