Factors influencing knowledge and adoption of sericulture technologies at Uri, Baramulla, UT of J&K

The present study was undertaken to different farming system, socioeconomic status and production constraints of sericulture farmers vis-a-vis adoption pattern of sericultural technologies in Uri sector of District Baramulla (UT of J&K). The socio-economic profile and level of knowledge are the important determinants for adoption of production technologies. The data was collected from 60 randomly selected farmers from 10 villages of District Baramulla. The results showed that sericulture is mostly practiced by middle aged illiterate farmers having medium family size, medium land holding with sericulture as main occupation. Extension contacts and source of information from different organizations are very poor. However, literate farmers were aware about new sericulture technologies, which helped to improve their socioeconomic conditions. Results further revealed that (55.00%) of the respondents had medium level of adoption, while 20.00 percent and 25.00 percent had high and low level of adoption respectively. Despite that while analyzing different constraints of the respondents it was observed that non-availability of mulberry leaf is the major factor which can be helpful to enhance the production of cocoon crop through excessive mulberry plantation. Furthermore, lack of finance, crop insurance, high disease incidence, shortage of rearing space and lack of quality silkworm seed.