SWOT ANALYSIS OF POTATO CULTIVATION IN EAST KHASI HILLS DISTRICT OF MEGHALAYA: FARMERS’ PERCEPTION

Abstract

The present study of SWOT analysis was conducted across twelve villages falling under six potato growing circles of east khasi hills district of Meghalaya during autumn and summer seasons of 2002-2003. From each selected village, 20 potato farmers were randomly chosen and thus a total of 120 farmers formed the sample. A semi structured interview schedule was utilized to elicit the response. This was coupled with informal group discussion with the respondents. Export of potato to other neighboring north-eastern states, existing potato based cropping system, local/traditional method of potato cultivation practiced by the farmers as well as connectivity of the villages to the city markets and better market price of potatoes were the strengths as perceived by the potato farmers. Prevailing rainfed conditions, lack of knowledge of scientific methods of potato cultivation and heavy incidence of diseases were felt as the inherent weaknesses of potato cultivation. Processing of potato, better linkage with the market and large scale adoption of Kufri Giriraj were the major opportunities for potato cultivation in the state. At the same time, fluctuating market price, non-availability of quality seed and competition from plains were the potential threats to sustain potato cultivation in this area. A very low coefficient of concordance (w) indicated that farmers of different potato growing circles perceived differently about the strength, weakness, and threat in potato cultivation thereby indicating the differential research, extension and development needs of respective areas. However, the higher value of w for opportunity showed that opportunities were perceived as similar in all the areas.