International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 394-404 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 399 ginger growers was 4.763 with a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 9 years. The average area under ginger cultivation was 3.3687 ropani with a minimum of 1.50 and a maximum of 6 ropani. Table 5 Active population, year of experience, and area under ginger cultivation Categories Average Minimum Maximum Active population 2.6375 2.00 4.00 Year of experience 4.763 2 9 The area under ginger cultivation 3.3687 1.50 6.00 Source: Field Survey, 2021 3.4 Extent of adoption of improved ginger production technology There was a variation in the extent of adoption of different improved ginger production technologies by respondents. Table 6 showed that the majority of the respondents (93.7%) adopted mulching with dry leaves and plant residues followed by intercropping (88.7%), weeding (87.5%), preservation of rhizome (85%), seed treatment (71.3%), plant protection (52.5%), value addition (38.7%), improved seed (35%), brunee harvesting (28.7%), irrigation (21.2%), soil test (15%), and recommended NPK (13.8%). Table 6 Distribution of the extent of adoption of improved ginger production technology by farmers (N=80) S. N Practices Adoption level Adopters Non-adopters Number Percent (%) Number Percent (%) 1. Improved seed 28 35 52 65 2. Seed treatment 57 71.3 23 28.7 3. Soil test 12 15 68 85 4. Recommended NPK 11 13.8 69 86.3 5. Mulching 75 93.7 5 6.3 6. Irrigation 17 21.2 63 78.8 7. Weeding 70 87.5 10 12.5 8. Intercropping 71 88.7 9 11.3 9. Plant Protection 42 52.5 38 47.5 10. Brunee harvesting 23 28.7 57 71.3 11. 12. Value addition Preservation of rhizome 31 68 38.7 85 49 12 61.3 15 Source: Field Survey, 2021 The result indicated that the mulching practice had the highest adopters as compared to other improved practices. The reason for the high adoption of mulching might be that this practice does not require a much larger investment than other practices and can be done with locally available materials. The number of adopters was low in chemical fertilizer application (recommended NPK), soil test, and irrigation. The reason for the low adoption of fertilizer was due to the high cost of fertilizers and the unavailability of inputs in time (Yadav et al., 2013). 3.5 Description of production technology adopted by ginger growers The study showed that maize was the most used crop for intercropping with ginger i.e.,75%, followed by chili (7.5%) and mandarin (6.3%). The majority of the respondents (77.5%) were found to be dependent on monsoon rain for irrigation and only 16.3% of the respondents used plastic ponds as a source of irrigation for ginger farming. As plant protection measures, the majority of the respondents (42.5%) used bio-pesticides and only 6.25% of respondents used chemical pesticides. The storage of ginger pit was used by the majority of the respondents (61.25%), followed by a polyethylene bag (13.75%).
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