Knowledge assessment of farmers regarding pesticides and pesticide practices in insect-pest/disease management process of apple

One of the biggest challenge faced by the apple growers of Kashmir valley is pest/disease management on which major share of their income is spent. This research study aimed to investigate the knowledge level of apple growers regarding pesticides and pesticide spraying practices so as to assess their pest/disease management process. The study was carried among apple growers of district Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir. Data was collected through proportionate random sampling technique by conducting face to face interviews. The study revealed that more than half (56.00%) of the apple growers belonged to 38-61 years of age group, 52 per cent had education upto middle school, 90.00 per cent had marginal land holding (upto 1 ha), two-third (66.00%) had 12-29 years of farming experience, less than half (45.00%) had total annual income of Rs 160001-320000, (96.00%) of the apple growers had not received any training regarding apple cultivation, Cent per cent were applying pesticides for disease management, 92.66 per cent for insect-pest management, more than one-third (35.66%) had knowledge about the recommended spray schedule, 95.66 per cent were knowing the pesticides by trade name, 89.00 per cent were spraying insecticides along with pesticides, only 4.00 per cent were spraying recommended insecticides and fungicides. Cent per cent had knowledge regarding adverse health effects of pesticides and acknowledged that pesticides were harmful to human health, Age, education, farming experience, trainings received, had positive and significant relationship with knowledge level. The study suggests that comprehensive intervention measures including training programmes to farmers, consultations with plant protection scientists, horticulture extension functionaries prior to pesticides use, formulation of concentrations and spray scheduling are needed for continued quality fruit production with minimal risks of pesticides to the human health and the environment.