Constraints faced by soybean growers in adoption of integrated pest management practices and their suggestions to overcome it

The present study entitled “Adoption of Integrated Pest Management practices followed by soybean growers” was conducted in Ausa and Nilanga tehsils of Latur district of Maharashtra state. A sample of 120 respondents was drawn randomly from 12 villages. From each village 10 soybean growers were chosen from selected villages. Ex post facto research design was followed in present investigation. The constraints faced by the soybean growers in adoption of Integrated Pest Management practices were lack of knowledge about improved integrated pest management practices 89.16 percent, lack of information about bio-agent, bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticides 80.83 percent, less number of information/training centers 77.50 percent, lack of supply quality integrated pest management material 72.50 percent, Short shelf life of bio-agent etc. 66.66 percent, lack of storage facilities for integrated pest management material at rural areas 55.83 percent, lack of confidence to accept new integrated pest management technologies 46.66 percent and more risk involved in integrated pest management practices 37.50 percent.

The suggestions expressed by soybean growers such as 85.00 percent of the soybean growers suggested that disseminate easy-to-understand information in local languages. While 79.16 percent of the soybean growers suggested that conduct regular awareness programs and field demonstrations to educate farmers, 73.33 percent of soybean growers suggested that showcase successful case studies through field trials to reduce fear of failure, 65.83 percent of them suggested to improve distribution channels, encourage local production units, ensure quality certification and timely availability of materials, 60.00 percent of them suggested to develop low-cost, community-level storage infrastructure and offer government support or incentives for rural storage units and 76.66 percent of establish more decentralized training centers in rural areas.