Adoption behaviour of conservation based improved marigold cultivation in tribal villages of southern Odisha

A study was conducted in six villages of Koraput district of southern Odisha for three years (2011–2013) under front line demonstrations (FLDs) program of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Semiliguda to assess the knowledge and adoption level of scientific marigold cultivation through variety ‘Seracole Orange ’. The knowledge level and perception were analysed for 120 farmers in six villages (20 farmer's village). The analysis revealed that majority of the marigold growers were possessing medium (58%) to high (34%) level of knowledge of scientific marigold cultivation. Age of cultivators exhibited negative correlation with marigold adoption. However, regression analysis shown that among different independent variables, education, occupation status, training, annual income, attitude towards flower cultivation and extension contact had a significant positive contribution towards adoption of improved marigold cultivation. Among different villages, Malidoliamba village steadily performed better along the years and recorded maximum yield (92.8 q ha) in 2011. An average yield of 40.7, 42.6 and 40.6 q ha was recorded in distantly located villages Luhaba, Kanjaimaliguda and Jhaliaguda, respectively which comprises of uninformed farmers. On mean value basis, villages like Malidoliamba, Tentuliguda and Durkaguda recorded B: C ratio of 2.31, 2.12 and 2.40, respectively. On an average, additional investment of` 8, 142 ha was made under demonstrations in different villages which gave average additional net returns of 40, 851 ha over farmers ’practice (FP). On mean value basis of all villages, the water use efficiency (WUE) under improved marigold cultivation was 68.5, 65.88 and 66.72% higher than local practice (FP) in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Marigold cultivation consultancy pattern of farmers revealed that KVK is the preferred source of knowledge closely followed by the local agriculture seed shop. The findings of this research imply that rural youth, young farmers and school dropouts should be given adequate technical support by training and education so that they could adopt scientific marigold cultivation for better livelihood prospects.