Yield Gap Analysis in Adoption of Production Technology of Mango by the Farmers

The study was conducted on yield gap analysis in adoption of production technology of mango by the farmers at Tumkuru district. Ten villages were selected and out of which twenty farmers were selected from each for the study, ten belong to big and small farmers category. Total 200 sample size were selected, the data were collected through personal interview, Frontline demonstration, Off-campus and On-campus training programme. Observation was recorded that 20 per cent of yield gap between demonstration plot and actual farmers plot in mango. The total yield gap between potential yield and actual yield was 50%. Majority of the big farmers (63%) and small farmers (50%) were at medium level of adoption. Majority of the big farmers (more than 80%) fully adopted the production practices like plant population per hectare and pit size, whereas more than 90 per cent of small and big farmers have not adopted production technology such as spraying with mango special as micronutrient, application of Paclobutrazol for regular bearing in Alphanso mango variety and using improved mango harvester for drudgery reduction. Significantly adopted by the big farmers in production technologies such as recommended farm yard manure application (55%), recommended quantity (730:180:680 NPK g/plant/year) of inorganic fertilizer application (58%) and powdery mildew management (46%). More than 70 per cent of small farmers have not adopted technologies such as selection of grafted seedlings (71%) and fruit fly management (70%). But significantly not adopted by the small farmers in production technology viz., selection of improved variety (62%), selection of grafted seedlings (71%), recommended quantity (730:180:680 NPK g/plant/year) of inorganic fertilizer application (72%) and powdery mildew management (63%). High cost and inadequate availability of labour, erratic supply of electricity, lack of knowledge regarding pest and disease management, unawareness about nutrient management and high cost of inputs were the major production constraints perceived by the Mango growers. A great majority of big and small farmers opined that providing crop insurance, availability and supply of improved seedlings and inputs at right time, research efforts for development of cost effective simple technologies for pest and disease management and conducting demonstration cum training programmes were necessary to overcome the constraints.