COGNITION AND ADOPTION OF PULSE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES BY DRY LAND FARMERS OF TAMILNADU

A study was conducted among 200 dryland farmers of Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu to understand the knowledge and adoption of dryland pulse production technologies by dryland farmers and to know the association of the characteristics of farmers and their knowledge and adoption. From the study, it is found that social participation, decision making pattern, economic motivation, information seeking behaviour are the essential factors which critically influence knowledge and adoption level of pulse growers and subsequently the production of pulses. With regard to pulse production technologies, improved varieties, seed rate, time of sowing, method of sowing, depth of sowing, DAP application and raising castor to control spodoptera were the practices for which majority of the respondents possessed knowledge and adopted the same. Majority of the respondents had little knowledge on seed treatment, NPK application, and weed management and these practices were adopted by few respondents.