Assessment of Low Lac Productivity in Central Region of Madhya Pradesh

Lac though is an important cash crop for the lac growers in Barghat block Seoni, but the productivity is poor varied. A survey of the reasons of low lac productivity was carried out involving 26 lac growers’ in the village Kekarai. The respondents of varying age in from 22 year to 75 years were selected effectively. The middle aged lac grower's predominantly (46.15%) followed by young lac grower's (38.46%) and old Lac grower's (15.38%). The study revealed that among the respondents only 61.53% used quality brood lac for inoculation. However, only (15.38%) purchase brood lac, while the rest either managed or produced their brood lac. Use of excess brood lac per tree was predominant practice, as 50% of the respondents used more than one kg brood lac per tree. On the other hand 42.30% respondents used one kg brood lac per tree. Only 7.69% respondent used brood in lesser quantity i.e. from 500-700g. Shifting of brood lac after one week of inoculation is not a practice in the village. Removal of phunki was practiced by 80.76% lac growers’ however none of them applied pesticides for predator management. The lac production on Zizyphus mauritiana varied from 1kg to 10kg per plant.