Impact of Indian gooseberry (AMLA) production on the socio-economic condition of farmers in Kunda block, district of Pratapgarh, UP

Introduction

Indian gooseberry, commonly known as amla ("Phyllanthus emblica), is the first tree to be created in the universe. It is a highly valued fruit crop in India due to its medicinal, nutritional, and economic importance. Pratapgarh district, particularly Kunda block, is a major hub for amla production, with many small and marginal farmers relying on this crop for their livelihood. This research aims to examine the socio-economic impact of amla cultivation on farmers in the Kunda block and propose strategies to enhance their income and living standards. Indian gooseberry, commonly known as amla (Phyllanthus emblica), is a fruit of immense economic, nutritional, and medicinal importance in India. Known for its high content of vitamin C and antioxidants (Jain et al., 2019) [17] , amla has been a staple in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and is now increasingly recognized for its commercial value in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The cultivation of amla has emerged as a profitable venture for farmers, particularly in regions like Uttar Pradesh, where favorable climatic conditions and fertile soil support its growth. Pratapgarh district, and specifically the Kunda block, has gained recognition as a significant hub for amla production in India. The region's farmers, many of whom are smallholders, have increasingly adopted amla cultivation as an alternative to traditional crops (Attar, J.R. and Aski, S.G. 2018) [3] . This shift is attributed to the crop's resilience, low input requirements, and high market demand. Moreover, the establishment of processing units and value-added product development has further boosted the profitability of amla farming in the region. This study aims to investigate the socio-economic impact of amla production on the farmers in the Kunda block of Pratapgarh district. By assessing the economic benefits, analyzing improvements in social indicators such as education and healthcare, and identifying the challenges faced by amla farmers, this research seeks to provide actionable insights for enhancing the livelihoods of these farmers. Additionally, the study will propose sustainable and scalable strategies to maximize the benefits of amla farming while addressing the constraints that limit its growth.

Classification

Materials and Methods 1. Research Design

Ex-Post facto design will be followed for the present study. Descriptive research is used to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon being studied. Descriptive research design is a scientific method which involves observing and describing the behaviour of the subject without influencing anyway.

Locale of the Study

The research was conducted in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, selected due to its high concentration of land under Amla cultivation. Specifically, the study was carried out in Kunda block, known for the active participation of respondents in amla cultivation activities.

Sampling Procedure

A multi-stage sampling technique was employed for the selection of respondents in this study. At the first stage, Pratapgarh district in Uttar Pradesh was selected purposively, considering its relatively high concentration of Indian Gooseberry cultivators. In the second stage, Kunda block within the district was chosen, as it is known for having a significant number of Amla cultivators actively engaged in various cultivation and non-cultivation practices. From this block, four villages: Bharatpur, Bramhauli, Dewara and Dilerganj were selected, based on the presence and density of Amla in these areas. Finally, at the respondent level, 30 respondents from each of the four selected villages were randomly chosen, resulting in a total sample size of 120 respondents for the study. This structured sampling approach ensured the representation of diverse socio-economic backgrounds among respondents in the study area.

Data Collection Methods

Primary data were collected through structured interview schedules, developed to align with the study's objectives and variables. Personal interviews were conducted during pre scheduled visits to ensure reliable, first-hand data from respondents.

Variables and their measurement

The study included both independent variables (age, education, occupation, age, landholding, etc.) and dependent variables (knowledge and perception). Standard scoring and classification methods were used to categorize responses into low, medium, and high categories using cumulative frequency and statistical scoring. • The knowledge level of the respondents was studied and presented in Table 2. From Table 2, it can be seen that most of the respondents had medium level of knowledge (75.83%), followed by high (14.17%) and low (10%) level of knowledge respectively.

Results and Discussion

• The perception level of the respondents was studied and presented in Table 3. From Table 3, it was evident that nearly three fourth of the respondents had medium level of perception (69.17%), followed by high (19.16%) and low (11.67%) level of perception respectively.

• The constraints faced by the Indian Gooseberry farmers was studied and presented in Table 4. The above Table 4. represents the constraints faced by the respondents which have been ranked in order of www.extensionjournal.com significance. The foremost limitation was high cost of fertilizers, weedicides, etc. for Amla cultivation practices, which accounted for approximately 91.67% (1 st rank) of the respondents' responses. This is followed by lack of storage facilities of the harvested Indian Gooseberry before sending to various market facilities in and outside the country, which comprised roughly 89.17% (2 nd rank). Lack of availability of fertilizers, pesticides, etc. for Indian Gooseberry cultivation practices is in 3 rd rank at 85% followed by lack of irrigation facility at 79.17% (4 th rank), heavy attack of pests, insects and diseases at 72.5% (5 th rank), lack of finance and credit facilities from the government at 68.33% (6 th rank), fluctuation in market prices at 63.33% (7 th rank), lack of skilled labour at 60.83% (8 th rank), irregular supply of electricity at 55.83% (9 th rank), lack of technical guidance at 55% (10 th rank), lack of knowledge about crop insurance at 54.17% (11 th rank), lack of agriculture knowledge at 50.83% (12 th rank), high cost of plant protection equipment at 49.17% (13 th rank), lack of good transportation and road at 48.33% (14 th rank), inadequate resources or machinery at 40% (15 th rank), lack of finance at 39.17% (16 th rank) and high losses during storage due to pest infestation at 35% (17 th rank).

• The suggestions given by the Indian Gooseberry farmers was studied and presented in Table 5. The above table 4.5.2 represents the suggestions given by the respondents, which have been ranked in order of significance. The most important suggestion was to increase the contact of farmers with the extension personnel/KVK experts, suggested by approximately 89.17% (1 st rank) of the respondents. This was followed by the suggestion of providing knowledge about various disease control measures among the farmers at 87.50% (2 nd rank); creating awareness about bio-fertilizers, suggested by approximately 76.67% (3 rd rank). Suggestion for providing knowledge and adoption techniques to the farmers about Indian Gooseberry (Aonla) varieties and cultivation practices accounted for 69.17% (4 th rank). This is followed by the suggestion of making available of various farm equipment at more affordable price to the farmers at 72.50% (5 th rank). The last suggestion given by the farmers was increasing the exposure visits of farmers to different amla cultivation farms in the country to increase their first-hand knowledge by direct contact with the farmers, who are already successful in amla cultivation, suggested by 55.83% (6 th rank).

Conclusion

It is concluded that majority of the respondents were engaged in farming, illiterate having less annual income and belonged to nuclear families. The maximum numbers of the respondents have a medium level of knowledge and attitude regarding Indian Gooseberry (Aonla) cultivation practices. The independent variables like age, educational qualification, types of family, types of houses, annual income, source of information, mass media exposure and scientific orientation have positive and significant effect on the knowledge and attitude of respondents. The major constraint faced by the respondents was high cost of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, etc. and non-availability of cold storage facilities to store the harvested Amla before sending to various markets in and outside the country to preserve the freshness of the fruit. To improve the attitude level, extension agencies should give more emphasis on the practices which require specialized skills like post-harvest technology and packaging.

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