Backward and forward linkages of grape production in Karnataka

Abstract

The present study was conducted during the year 2006 in Bijapur and Bagalkot districts newlineof Karnataka state with a sample of 200 respondents. The expost-facto research design was newlineused. The study revealed that 36.50 per cent farmers had high level of adoption of grape newlinecultivation practices followed by low (35%) and medium (38.50%) level of adoption. Majority of newlinethe grape growers adopted the garden establishment, nursery management, use of root stock, newlinefertilizer application, micronutrient application, fertigation, plant protection, training and pruning newlineand quality improvement practices. newlineConsiderable percentage (40.50%) of growers belonged to low level of linkage followed newlineby 31.50 per cent high and 28 per cent medium level of linkage with Research, Extension and newlineSupport systems. Functional linkage was observed with research system through extension newlineliterature. Cent percent farmers had functional linkage with department of horticulture for subsidy newlinepurpose and 65 per cent of big farmers had functional linkage with UAS extension units. newlineNationalised and Co-operative Banks were major financial sources. newlineLinkages with research and formal extension system were found to be weak, compared newlineto informal sources. As Karnataka Grape Growers Association has emerged as a vital link in newlineproduction and marketing of grape, which should be made to function as central link organization newlinein the development of grape industry. A consortium of progressive grape growers, scientists, newlinerepresentatives of GGA, lead input providers of Karnataka and Maharashtra should be formed for newlineadvocacy and suggesting strategy for pre and post harvest operations. newlineAnnual income, mass media participation, extension participation and achievement newlinemotivation were found to have positive and significant relationship with functional linkages of newlinegrape growers at 5 per cent level of significance. newlineNon availability of grape experts, shortage of water, high cost of chemicals, irregular, newlineinsufficient power supply were important constraints and to overcome these constraints farme