Constraints and suggestions obtained from crop pest surveillance and advisory project extension functionaries

The present study was conducted in Palam, Pathri, Selu, Sonpeth, Manwat, Gangakhed, Parbhani, Purna, Jintur tahsils of Parbhani district from Marathwada region of Maharashtra state, with an objective to study the Perception of Extension Functionaries towards Crop Pest Surveillance and Advisory Project. Total nine tahsils were selected for research study. Fifteen respondents from each tahsil were selected randomly to comprise a sample of 135 respondents. One short case study method of ex-post-facto medium research design was adopted for this study. The major constraint reported was the shortage of resources and inadequate infrastructure (80.74%), followed by involvement in other official work (77.78%) and limited financial support (77.04%). Key suggestions included organizing more training programs to bridge the gap between technology and farmers' needs (83.70%), proper planning and management of CROPSAP activities (82.74%), and timely guidance and support from superiors (80.74%). Additional suggestions emphasized improving infrastructure, increasing manpower, conducting regular refresher trainings on IPM practices and digital tools, organizing digital literacy camps in villages, promoting low-cost IPM techniques, and updating CROPSAP software as needed.