FACTORS AFFECTING THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF COTTON GROWERS TO ADOPT INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

The study, conducted in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, examined constraints faced by cotton growers in adopting integrated pest management (IPM) and sought their suggestions. The research involved 120 respondents and used an ex-post facto research design. Findings revealed that 51.67 per cent of the farmers were in the middle age group, with 28.34 per cent having a middle school education. In terms of farm experience, 61.66 per cent had medium-level experience, and 45.83 per cent had received training. Additionally, 34.18 per cent had families of five to six members, and 46.66 per cent had an annual income ranging from Rs. 1,00,001 to Rs. 1,50,000. Landholding size was medium for 56.66 per cent of farmers, while 63.34per cent had a medium level of social participation. Furthermore, 67.50 per cent had medium-level mass media exposure, and 45.00 per cent had medium-level scientific orientation. Risk orientation showed 62.50 per cent of farmers in the medium-risk group, and 54.84 per cent had a medium level of innovativeness. This study highlights the multifaceted factors influencing cotton growers’ knowledge and attitude towards IPM. Education, farm experience, training, income, social participation, mass media exposure, scientific orientation, risk orientation, and innovativeness significantly contribute to the adoption of IPM strategies. The study identified non-availability of tricho-cards, Trichoderma, pheromone traps, and light traps in local markets as major constraints. Cotton growers suggested making these items available at the local market to facilitate their adoption of IPM.