Innovativeness, Utilization Pattern and Scientific Production Technology of Fodder Crops in Maharashtra: An Exploratory Research from Dairy Farmers’ Perspective

Abstract

The present study assesses the extent of innovativeness, utilization pattern and existing production technology of fodder crop in Pune district of Maharashtra state. The data were solicited from 120 randomly selected farmers in the Pune district of Maharashtra state by randomly selecting two tehsils and two villages from each tehsil i.e. four villages with the sample of 120 (40 small, 40 medium and 40 large) farmers. The results indicate that majority of farmers (90%) adopted improved method of land preparation and 64.17% farmers cultivated Maldandi variety of fodder Sorghum. During kharif season, 80.83% dairy farmers preferred cultivation of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) for green fodder. In the region, 87.50% farmers used broadcast method for sowing the fodder crop. Majority of the farmers cultivated fodder Sorghum without application of herbicides and pesticides. In the region, hay preparation is the prevalent method of fodder storage. Mostly fodder i.e., 72.50% of Sorghum, 55% of maize (Zea mays L.) and 65% of Bajra fodder (Pennisetum glaucum L.) are kept for hey preparation.  In contrast to hay making, only 8.06 and 23.33 % farmers used fodder for silage making and urea treatment, respectively. Majority (48.33%) of the dairy farmers belonged to medium level of innovativeness for adopting Yashwant variety of Hybrid Napier. Farmers’ education and area under fodder crops were found to be positive and significantly correlated with innovativeness of dairy farmers. There is need to create awareness among the dairy farmers about new varieties, improved cultivation practices and utilization of fodder crop.