Determinants of knowledge and adoption of post-harvest management practices among mango growers of northern Karnataka.
Ravikumar, Modi D., Bheemappa A., Manjunath L., Hegde R. V., Handigol J. A.
Author Affiliation: Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India.
Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences 23 : 606-611
Abstract : The research study conducted in Dharwad and Belgaum districts during 2008-09 shows that 45.00 per cent of mango growers were noticed in medium level of knowledge and lesser adoption of post-harvest management practices. The detailed analysis of individual management practices revealed that a high per cent of respondents had knowledge of duration taken for fruit maturity (95.83%) and identifying maturity of fruit (93.33%), storage techniques (91.67%) and varieties suited for processing (90.00%). Similarly, majority possessed knowledge about ideal time for harvesting (87.50%), use of fruit pickers for harvest (77.50%), importance of grading and packing (72.50%). Moderately more number of respondents possessed knowledge of fruit packing (67.50%), transportation method (64.17%), washing of fruits (52.50%) and causes of post-harvest losses (48.33%). The distribution in adoption of individual practices highlight that high percentage (95.00%) of respondents was found to adopt recommended variety, followed by recommended method of harvesting (71.62%) and time of harvesting (52.57%). The results of simple correlation revealed that the knowledge and adoption of post-harvest management practices were significantly determined by risk orientation, achievement motivation and economic motivation.