Author(s): A. K. SARKAR AND *1S. P. LAL

Abstract: The study was conducted in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal to evaluate the adoption of improved practices towards improving yield and quality of jute. The state and district were purposively selected. Across the district, two blocks were chosen randomly, and from each block, two villages were selected at random. A total of 120 respondents were intervened through the computer-based research randomizer technique. Improved jute production practice index (IJPPI) was developed with 6 improved practice indicators of jute cultivation. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data through direct observation, personal interviews, and focus group discussion. Statistical analyses were performed by mean, frequency, percentage, standard deviation, standard error etc. Results showed that the respondent farmers had a low adoption level in overall IJPPI (0.223). A colour-coded stratified radar chart was developed for the distribution of respondents according to the contribution of each indicator to the overall IJPPI. The IJPPI extents were found to be the following in the study area, in relation to its 6 indicators: seed and sowing (64%), nutrient management (25.83%), weeding (25.83%), fibre extraction and retting (7.0%), insect-pest and disease management (6.25%) and cropping system (0.83%). So, the index value for almost all the indicators in the study area was very low except the seed and sowing indicator. The study area requires significant development in almost every segment. Improved production practices must be incorporated into jute cultivation to reduce stress in enhancing fibre yield and production costs.

DOI: 10.22271/09746315.2023.v19.i2.1719

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