Evaluation of Awareness and Problems Faced by Farmers in Using Biofungicides in Dahegam Taluka of Gandhinagar
Renu Kumari
International Agribusiness Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, India.
Chetan R. Dudhagara *
International Agribusiness Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Plant diseases pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity. The growing scientific awareness about adverse effects of chemical fungicides; on health and impact on ecosystems, has led farmers to adopt new alternatives, one of which is biofungicide. The study was conducted to highlight farmers' awareness about biofungicides in Dahegam taluka of Gandhinagar district and the problems they face in adopting the biofungicides. The respondents were selected through a simple random sampling method. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. The primary data was gathered from the farmers directly through face-to-face interviews using a structured schedule method. The secondary data was taken from research journal publications and other reliable sources. The statistical methods used in the study were descriptive statistics, weighted average mean and Garrett’s ranking method. Total 200 respondents were studied during the survey. The study revealed that the majority of farmers knew about biofungicides, but the adoption and usage of biofungicides is low. Farmers highlighted that the cost of biofungicides, slow results of the biofungicide and lack of technical knowledge were the main problems faced by them in the adoption of biofungicides.
Keywords: Biofungicide, farmers’ awareness, biopesticides, biocontrol agents, chemical fungicides, sustainable agriculture