STUDY OF IMPROVED MANDARIN (Citrus Reticulate Blanco) ORCHARDMANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN MID HILLS OF GANDAKI PROVINCE, NEPAL

Abstract

A survey was carried out to collect information regarding orchard management practices from mandarin growers of mid hills of Gandaki province by taking representative sample size of 80, 25 each from Beni Municipality and Jaljala Rural Municipality and 30 from Kathekhola Rural Municipality of Myagdi,Parbat and Baglung respectively. Purposive selection of site was done, and sampling procedure was simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistical tools, chi-square test and t-test were used to analyze the data. The study was carried out to know level of adoption of improved orchard management practices, relation between socio-economic characters and adoption of technology and to identify the constraints perceived by farmers during adoption. From the study it was found that majority of the respondents of mandarin growers were male, middle aged, had medium sized family, had medium farm size, most of them are literate and agriculture was the primary source of income. Majority of farmers had taken training. Most of the respondents were in frequent contact with extension agent seeking the required information. Out of major ten improved management practices, majority of respondents had adopted training and pruning while least adopted practices were micronutrient application. Majority of respondents had low adoption on recommended management practices. Gender, education level, training, land holding size, contact with extension agent had significant association with adoption. Major problems like irrigation, insect and disease, training, lack of labor and cost of input were encountered during the adoption of improved mandarin orchard management practices. It is recommended that, literacy program needed to be strengthened, training should be based on felt need and subsidy should be given to farmers to encourage them towards mandarin cultivation as well as adoption of improved orchard management practices.