Constraints and suggestions for effective use of agrochemicals in north Gujarat

Abstract

The present study entitled “Constraints and suggestions for effective use of agrochemicals in North Gujarat” was undertaken to identify the constraints faced by vegetable growers and to obtain their suggestions for improving the effective use of agrochemicals. The study was conducted in Banaskantha and Sabarkantha districts of North Gujarat. An ex-post facto research design was employed and a multistage sampling technique was used to select 300 vegetable growers from 30 villages. The findings revealed that the major constraints faced by the vegetable growers were high prices of agrochemicals (72.91%), lack of timely information regarding recommended dosages (68.33%) and lack of awareness about prohibited agrochemicals (66.66%), which ranked first, second and third respectively. The major suggestions offered by the respondents were the need for timely, clear and accurate information on recommended application methods and safe use (75.83%), organization of regular training programmes (66.66%) and provision of technical guidance (62.00%). The study concludes that economic and information-related constraints are the major barriers to effective agrochemical use and addressing these through extension interventions and institutional support can improve safe and efficient utilization.