Constraints faced under open and protected cultivation of vegetables- A case studyof tomatoes and capsicum in Karnataka

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the constraints faced by farmers in the production and marketing oftomatoes and capsicum under open and protected cultivation practices in Karnataka. The study was conducted in majortwo vegetable producing districts of Karnataka. Kolar from South Karnataka and Belagavi from North Karnataka were thetwo districts selected for the study. Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) was adopted for the analysis. The results indicated thatheavy incidence of pests and diseases (RBQ value 69.44) and severe incidence of blossom end rot due to calcium deficiency(RBQ value 85.19) were the major production constraints under open and protected cultivation practices, respectively.Lack of quality planting material and requirement of intensive management practices were the other serious productionproblems under open field cultivation of tomatoes. While, incidence of fruit borer and requirement of high cost forestablishment were the production problems faced by the farmers under protected cultivation of tomatoes. Heavy drop ofimmature fruits under open cultivation and high cost of establishment under protected cultivation were the other seriousproblems faced by farmers in production of capsicum. Lower market price during peak harvesting season and high fluctuationin prices for capsicum were the serious marketing problems. Use of disease-free quality planting material, self-raising ofseedlings, utilization of calcium fertilizers and adoption of cost-effective management practices and proper portfolio managementwere the measures suggested to the farmers to overcome these problems. These findings will be helpful to the policy makersand farmers for developing policy framework and relevant guidance for promoting vegetable production in the state.