Pest and disease management in grapes: Adoption rates and usage constraints

This study investigates the adoption of pest and disease management technologies and constraints among grape growers in Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka, a prominent grape-growing region. Two taluks, Chikkaballapura and Sidlaghatta, were chosen due to their intensive use of plant protection chemicals. A total of 60 grape growers were selected using simple random sampling from 12 villages. Data was collected from the grape growers using a structured schedule. The collected data was analysed using Sengupta’s (1967) scale, frequencies, and percentages to determine adoption levels. The study revealed that nearly half (46.66%) of grape growers had low adoption of pest and disease management practices, with only 33.34% showing high adoption and 20% at a medium level. While practices like pruning infected branches and using recommended chemicals were widely adopted, bio-control methods were largely ignored by 88.34% of growers. Farmers faced several challenges, with the high cost of chemicals being the most significant (58.33%). Many also struggled with understanding labels and the toxicity of chemicals (45%), and found spraying difficult (31.66%). Other issues included improper dosage and timing of chemical applications, and a lack of awareness about climate and disease forecasting. The frequent need for chemical sprays to manage diseases effectively added to the financial burden on growers. These findings highlight the need for more affordable and accessible pest management solutions, better education on chemical use, and support for adopting bio-control methods. Addressing these challenges can help improve the sustainability and profitability of grape cultivation in the region, ultimately benefiting the growers and the broader agricultural community.