Abstract

Fruit cultivation plays a major role in the economic scenario of the Jammu and Kashmir. For sustainable fruit production, it is important to understand the technological needs of farmers and to develop such communication methodology that supports the operational aspects of fruit growers. To fill the gap between technology generation and its dissemination with the latest information tools, the present study was conducted in different villages and main campus (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) of District Pulwama of Kashmir valley for five years (2007-2011). Different trainings were conducted and knowledge on various aspects of fruit production was imparted to the farmers/farm women, rural youth and extension personnel of the Department of Horticulture of the District. Practical demonstrations (259) were the most preferred method of communication by the clientele of the Districts in adopting the technical knowledge on various aspects for enhancing fruit production followed by speech/lectures (256). Regarding the participation of the different clientele in various trainings, rural youth showed maximum interest followed by farmers/farm women. However, after providing training impact recorded was up to 95.75% which was earlier only 4.84 whereas, the full adoption of the trainings ranged between 14.29% for marketing of fruits and 78.19% integrated disease and insect-pest management. 

Key words: Fruit cultivation, technology, marketing of fruits, integrated disease, insect-pest management.