A problem analysis: Maize growers of the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh

Introduction

Maize (Zea mays L.) is called the "Queen of Cereals" throughout the world. For billions of people, maize is an important grain that can be used as food, fodder, fuel and industrial raw material. Currently, more than 170 countries collectively produce about 1147.7 million metric tons of maize in an area of 193.7 million hectares, with an average productivity of 5.75 tons/hectare (FAOSTAT, 2020). In the state of Chhattisgarh, maize is the second most important crop after rice for the production of food grains. 71.75 million ha of land is used to cultivate maize in Chhattisgarh, producing 134.16 mt of grain with a productivity of 1886 kg/ha. In CG, there is an annual average of 1200-1400 mm of rain. In addition to a 137 percent cropping intensity. Chhattisgarh has three distinct agroclimatic zones, each with enormous potential for agricultural development. The climates of the two northern hills and the Bastar Plateau are the most suitable for growing maize crops out of these three zones. Northern Hills; it includes the districts of Surguja, Surajpur, Balrampur, Korea, Jashpur, Raigarh and Dharamjaigarh Tehsil of Raigarh. Surguja district is the leading maize-growing district of the state. The state has very good potential for maize but the productivity is very low due to the cultivation of openpollinated varieties (OPVs), improper input management practices and ignorance of the improved technology of maize as well as some constraints and barriers faced by the growers, which can be urgently required with their remedial measures for minimize the problems and enhanced the adoptability of maize technology among growers.

Materials and Methods

The present study was carried out in the Chhattisgarh State and Ambikapur block was randomly selected under the Surguja district and a total of 120 farmers were randomly selected from the 8 selected villages; Khaliba, Thakurpur, Bakirma, Balsedi, Mendra Khurd, Sukhari, Sarganwa and Parsa. Thus, 120 respondents were finally selected and collected the data with the help of a welldeveloped structured interview schedule.

Results and Discussion

Problem-related soil: The soil is an important aspect related to the productivity and production of maize. The soil type and area distribution under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions are given in Table 1; results indicate that under upland unbunded (Entisols/dand/ bari/tikra); Out of 121.95 ha area about 94.29 ha land was found irrigated with 53.60 percent and 27.66 ha was unirrigated with 9.38 percent. Which is more fertile and suitable for all the years for maize cultivation. Under upland bunded (Inseptisols/Goda Chawar): In the upland bunded 17.80 percent was found total land 61.83 ha with 35.15 irrigated and 7.45 percent of land unirrigated. This situation of soil is only suitable for rabi and summer seasons for maize cultivation under assured irrigation. Under Low land bunded (Alfisols/Gadar Chawar); 52.21 ha of 11.09 percent of the total land about 36.65 ha with 20.83 percent was irrigated and 15.56 ha with 5.28 percent of the land was unirrigated. This situation of land is not suitable for maize due to having moist conditions. Under extreme low land banded (Vertisols/Bahara); out of 36.79 ha 7.82 percent was total land about 28.56 ha with 16.23 percent of land was irrigated and 8.23 ha with 2.79 percent land was unirrigated. Low land and extreme low land bunded are only suitable for rice cultivation. Thus, it can be concluded that out of a total of 121.95 ha of land, 53.60 percent was irrigated and suitable for maize crops in all seasons and the remaining 25.91 percent of the land was found non-irrigated under the upland unbunded farming situations of land and found suitable for the rainy season only. as "Lack of money to purchase agri. input" "High cost of seed, fertilizer insecticide and implements", 'Not being immediately ready to adopt new technology" High labour charge" " lack of training facilities," " less contact with extension officers" and "Harm from wild animals (bears, monkeys & elephants)". with 50 percent, To promote the machinery equipment for harvesting had ranked 10 th with 23.33 percent and Timely provides the seed of maize had ranked 11th with 12.5 percent.

The remedial measures to overcome the problems of maize growers

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the study, that the maximum area occupied in upland unbunded farming situation with irrigated and maize was the main crop during the wet and dry season for commercial purposes. The high-intensity problems of maize grower respondents were expressed as "Lack of money to purchase agri. input" "High cost of seed, fertilizer insecticide and implements", 'Not being immediately ready to adopt new technology" High labour charge" " lack of training facilities", "Less contact with extension officer" and "Harm from wild animals (bears, monkeys & elephants). In their remedial measures for minimizing the problems and suggested that "Labour should be available in proper time', 'Credit facilities should be to farmers at the minimum rate of interest, 'Subsidies should be increased on fertilizer and seed', 'Price of seed should be minimized', 'Extension agency or agent should convey the right information at the right time' and "Proper marketing facilities should be established in their locality" so that problems of maize growers can be minimized and their production of maize crop will also be enhanced along with overall their socio-economic condition.

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