Vol. 10, Special Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Ahire MC, Dhadwad MB, Pharate DN and Landage NN

Abstract:
Eggplant crop is damaged by more than 53 important insect pests and out of 13-14 per cent of pesticides used on vegetables in India, eggplant receives the maximum pesticide sprays after chilli. This investigation was aimed at documenting constraints encountered by Eggplant (Brinjal) growers in utilization of chemical pesticides and suggestions to overcome the constraints. The study was conducted in 10 villages in the Rahuri and Rahata tahasils in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state using ex-post facto research design. The data were collected from 120 respondent Eggplant growers using simple random sampling and personal structured interview method of data collection. It was observed that poor knowledge about nature of chemical pesticides and their application (67.50%) and lack of knowledge about the incidence of pests (59.16%), were the two major constraints reported by the farmers in utilization of chemical pesticides in brinjal cultivation. Further, majority of the respondents suggested giving subsidy for purchase of plant protection equipment’s (80.83%), imparting knowledge about incidence of different pests to the eggplant growers (77.50%), and organization of a large number of demonstrations on use of chemical pesticides (72.50%) in eggplant cultivation.