Determinants of the adoption of different good agricultural practices (GAP) in the command area of PMAMP apple zone in Nepal: The case of Mustang district

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the factors affecting the adoption of good agriculture practices (GAP) for apple production in the Prime-Minister Agriculture Modernization Project's (PMAMP) apple zone of Mustang district. Altogether, 100 households from Thasang and Gharapjhong rural Municipalities were chosen for the study by a stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive statistical tools, logistic regression and t-test were used to analyze the data which were collected from the semi-structured interview schedule. Out of the ten selected good agriculture practices standards, intercropping practices were adopted by the majority of respondents (83%) while the ring method of irrigation (19%) was found to be the least adopted. The magnitude of logistic regression coefficients of good agriculture practices revealed that occupation was a highly significant (p < 0.01) socio-economic variable influencing the adoption of good agriculture practices. Similarly, age, apple cultivated land, economically active population, institutional involvement, and loan for apple cultivation was also found significant (p < 0.05) for the adoption of different good agriculture practices. From the independent t-test, the productivity of apples was found significantly different between the farmers with and without: recommended nutrient management system, intercropping (p < 0.05), recommended pit dimension and irrigation interval (p < 0.10). The major problem in apple production were also identified. Based on the findings, increase in apple cultivated land, increase number of apples growing farmers, active role of institution and availability of credit to farmers are suggested to increase the adoption of different GAP in apple. The problems identified in apple production shall be prioritized to boost apple production and marketing. The policy makers and practitioners should prioritize the significant socio-economic characters and determinants in different stages of planning and implementation of program and policies.