Knowledge regarding improved maze cultivation practices of the respondent of Begusarai district in Bihar

The study was conducted in Begusarai district of Bihar state. The data were collected by interview method by using pre structured schedule and later appropriate statistical analysis was done to find out the meaningful results. The study analyzed the knowledge level of 120 respondents in the Begusarai District about maize production techniques. The findings revealed that that majority of the respondents 61 (51%) fell in the medium knowledge level group, whereas 26 percent respondents were observed in the high knowledge level group and remaining 23 per cent respondents formed low knowledge level group. It is hereby concluded that majority of farmers were having medium level of knowledge followed by high and low knowledge level, respectively.

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Introduction

Maize, also known as corn, is a highly productive cereal crop with a significant global market value. It is grown across various states in India, with Bihar being a prominent contributor. Bihar, located in the eastern part of India, has favourable agro-climatic conditions for maize cultivation, with an average yield of 3 to 3.5 tonnes per hectare. The state contributes significantly to the total maize production of the country, with a share of around 9-10%. (Kumar K., Bhatia J. and Kumar M., 2018) [5] . Government initiatives, such as the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), have been instrumental in boosting maize production in Bihar. However, maize farmers in Bihar face challenges like fluctuating market prices, pest attacks, and climate-related issues. Access to irrigation and proper storage facilities also pose significant hurdles for maize farmers. Future prospects for Bihar's maize production include continuous efforts from the government and the adoption of modern agricultural practices. Research and development in high-yielding and pest-resistant maize varieties will play a crucial role in sustaining growth. Improved technologies for higher maize production, such as suitable crop establishment techniques, integrated nutrient management strategies, and pest management, are recommended for higher maize production. Indian farmers are increasingly adopting new agricultural technologies to improve crop yields. However, traditional practices still influence adoption rates, even among farmers with sound economic conditions and formal education. The adoption of these technologies is not always driven by profit motives alone. Knowledge of recommended technologies is crucial for successful adoption. Despite India's competent agricultural research and extension systems, many practices are not widely accepted by farmers. The differential rate of adoption of farm technologies is attributed to personal and socio-economic characteristics of farmers. To ensure food security and increase maize productivity, new technologies and scientific cultivation methods should be adopted. A detailed study on knowledge and adoption levels is needed to understand farmers' constraints and promote maize cultivation.

Research Methodology

This study uses a descriptive research design to accurately and methodically describe a population, situation, or phenomenon. The research methodology involves observing and describing a subject's behaviour without taking any action. The study was conducted in Begusarai district of Bihar state, known as the 'Industrial Capital of Bihar', which is spread over 1,918 km2. The district is characterized by its large number of maize growers and its rich cultural, geographical, and agricultural aspects. The study selected Begusarai district due to its large number of farmers and its well-known industrial importance. Out of 18 blocks, six were selected based on the maximum area under maize crops. Out of 63 villages, six were selected based on the maximum area under maize crops. From each village, twenty respondents were randomly selected, resulting in a www.extensionjournal.com total of 120 respondents for the study. Initially, 26 independent variables were identified based on literature and consultation with scientists. Out of these, 11 variables with relevance to the study were selected. The study measured various variables, including age, educational status, occupational status, family size, annul income, land holding size, extension agent contact, social participation, mass media exposure, source of information, and risk bearing capacity. Dependant variables included knowledge of the farmers and adoption of the farmers. The study aims to correlate findings with the prevailing conditions in Begusarai district.

Objectives of the study

To ascertain the knowledge regarding improved maize cultivation practices of the respondents.

Results and Discussion

Results and Discussion

Knowledge level of respondents towards improved Maize production practices in Begusarai District

This section of the chapter addresses the respondents' current level of knowledge on enhanced maize production techniques in the Begusarai district. One of the key elements of the behavioural aspect is knowledge, which is the body of recognized information that an individual possesses.

Because of this, it became clear that it was essential to find out how much the respondents knew about better maize production techniques. Table 2 shows that respondents have a strong understanding of maize cultivation, including seed selection, soil testing, pest identification, irrigation, and post-harvest practices.

S. No.	Statement	Fully Correct	—	Partially Correct	—	Incorrect	—
		Frequency	Percentage	Frequency	Percentage	Frequency	Percentage
1	I am aware of the importance of selecting high-yielding maize varieties.	38	32%	42	35%	40	33%
2	I know how to test seed viability before planting.	38	32%	50	42%	32	27%
3	I understand the benefits of using certified seeds.	30	25%	55	46%	35	29%
4	I know the recommended planting distance for maize.	37	31%	52	43%	31	26%
5	I know how to conduct soil tests to determine nutrient requirements.	24	20%	57	48%	39	33%
6	I understand the importance of crop rotation to maintain soil fertility.	45	38%	44	37%	31	26%
7	I am aware of the appropriate methods for land preparation before planting maize.	43	36%	52	43%	25	21%
8	I can identify common pests that affect maize crops.	31	26%	43	36%	46	38%
9	I know the signs of major maize diseases.	52	43%	42	35%	26	22%
10	I am aware of integrated pest management practices.	32	27%	37	31%	51	43%
11	I understand the importance of proper irrigation for maize growth.	33	28%	52	43%	35	29%
12	I know the different irrigation methods suitable for maize.	51	43%	48	40%	21	18%
13	I am aware of the signs of water stress in maize plants.	36	30%	44	37%	40	33%
14	I know the indicators of maize maturity for harvesting.	41	34%	46	38%	33	28%
15	I understand the importance of proper timing in harvesting maize.	48	40%	42	35%	30	25%
16	I am aware of the best practices for maize storage to prevent post-harvest losses.	43	36%	46	38%	31	26%
17	I am aware of the benefits of joining farmer groups or cooperatives.	37	31%	47	39%	36	30%
18	I know where to access agricultural extension services for additional support.	53	44%	44	37%	23	19%

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Distribution of respondents according to their knowledge about improved Maize production practices in Begusarai District n=120

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They are well-equipped to make informed decisions and implement best practices in their activities. They are aware of the importance of choosing high-quality seeds for optimal crop yield, soil testing for soil health, pest identification and control measures, irrigation practices for adequate water during critical growth stages, and post-harvest practices for proper storage and handling techniques. This strong grasp of key aspects of maize cultivation is expected to lead to higher yields, improved crop quality, and enhanced agricultural productivity. By leveraging their knowledge and skills, respondents can achieve higher yields, improved crop quality, and enhanced overall agricultural productivity. 4 shows that, at the 0.05 percent significance level, the independent variables-education, employment, amount of land holding, and family type-were substantially linked with the knowledge level of maize farmers. At the 0.01 percent significance level, the annual income, exposure to the media, risk-taking ability, progressiveness, and scientific orientation were shown to be substantially connected with the knowledge level of maize farmers. However, the knowledge level of maize farmers was not significantly impacted by age, marital status, or kind of home. At the 0.05 percent significance level, there was a significant correlation found between the adoption level of maize farmers and independent factors, including education, occupation, and quantity of land holding. At the 0.01 percent significance level, the adoption of maize farmers was substantially connected with annual income, exposure to the media, risktaking ability, progressiveness, and scientific orientation. On the other hand, age is adversely connected at the 0.05 percent significance level with the adoption level of maize farmers, whereas marital status, dwelling type, and family type are not significant.

Conclusion

The study examines the knowledge level of respondents in the Begusarai District regarding improved maize production techniques. The respondents were divided into 120 groups based on their knowledge level. The majority of respondents were aware of the importance of selecting high-yielding maize varieties, testing seed viability before planting, using certified seeds, knowing the recommended planting distance, conducting soil tests, understanding crop rotation, land preparation methods, identifying pests, understanding major maize diseases, integrated pest management practices, proper irrigation, water stress, indicators of maize maturity for harvesting, proper timing in harvesting, best practices for maize storage, joining farmer groups or cooperatives, and accessing agricultural extension services. The data showed that the respondents had a strong understanding of various aspects related to maize cultivation, including seed selection, soil testing, pest identification, irrigation, and post-harvest practices. They were well-equipped to make informed decisions and implement best practices in their activities. The respondents' ability to identify pests and implement pest control measures is crucial for protecting their maize crops from potential damage. Their knowledge of irrigation practices suggests they are aware of providing adequate water to their crops, especially during critical growth stages. The findings suggest that the respondents have a strong grasp of key aspects related to maize cultivation, which bodes well for their success in this agricultural endeavour. By leveraging their knowledge and skills, they are likely to achieve higher yields, improve crop quality, and enhance their overall agricultural productivity.

Figures and tables from the paper

Sr. No.	Category	Frequency	Percentage
1	Age
	Young (Upto 35 years)	34	28.33%
	Middle (36 to 55 years)	66	55%
	Old (56 years & above)	20	16.67%
2	Marital Status
	Unmarried	30	25%
	Married	74	61.66%
	Divorced/ Widow	16	13.34%
3	Education Level
	Illiterate	11	9.16%
	Primary school education	38	31.66%
	High school & higher secondary education	59	49.16%
	Graduate and above	12	10%
4	Occupation
	Self-business	45	37.5%
	Agriculture + Allied	56	46.66%
	Labourers + Allied	19	15.83%
5	House Type
	Mud house	20	16.66%
	Semi-cemented	62	51.67%
	Cemented	38	31.66%
6	Land Holding
	Marginal	32	26.67%
	Small	56	46.67%
	Medium	24	20%
	Large	8	6.66%
7	Annual Income
	Low	29	24.16%
	Medium	73	60.83%
	High	18	15%
8	Family Type
	Nuclear family	77	64.16%
	Joint family	43	35.83%
9	Social Participation
	Low	35	29.16%
	Medium	63	52.5%
	High	22	18.33%
10	Risk Orientation
	Low	33	27.5%
	Medium	61	50.83%
	High	26	21.67%
11	Economic Motivation
	Low	25	20.83%
	Medium	78	65%
	High	17	14.16%
12	Extension Contact
	Low	34	28.34%
	Medium	65	54.16%
	High	21	17.5%
13	Mass Media Exposure
	Low	37	30.83%
	Medium	54	45%
	High	29	24.16%

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Socio economic profile of the respondents

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Knowledge Level	Frequency	Percentage
Low (18-24)	28	23%
Medium (25-30)	61	51%
High (31-36)	31	26%
Total	120	100%

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Distribution of respondents on the basis of their

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Distribution of respondents on the basis of their knowledge level

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S. No.	Independent variables	Correlation coefficient (r)	—
		Knowledge	Adoption
1.	Age	0.134NS	0.261*
2.	Marital status	0.122NS	0.127NS
3.	Education	0.264*	0.285*
4.	Occupation	0.342*	0.319*
5.	Type of House	0.163NS	0.143NS
6.	Size of land holding	0.339*	0.359*
7.	Annual income	0.525**	0.512**
8.	Family type	0.237*	0.118NS
9.	Mass media exposure	0.462**	0.524**
10.	Risk bearing capacity	0.528**	0.471**
11.	Progressiveness	0.477**	0.568**
12.	Scientific Orientation	0.523**	0.487**

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Relationship between profile of Maize farmers with

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