Perception level of apple growers in relation to soil health card scheme in Kashmir Valley

Abstract

The present study was conducted in the districts of Baramulla, Shopian and Pulwama of the Kashmir valley. The areas are specifically known for production of apple crop. Baramulla popularly known as the apple town of Kashmir valley having the Asia's second largest fruit mandi. Shopian is 22 Km from Aglar which connects it with Pulwama district is one of the border towns of district. Shopian district is called as apple bowl of Kashmir valley. Pulwama is famous for rice production. Besides rice, it is famous for quality saffron production all over the world. The district is also famous for production of milk which is largest in the union territory and is also known as Anand of Kashmir. The study was undertaken in these areas to get the first-hand information regarding the impact of soil health card scheme adopted by the apple growers of the different villages falling in these areas. The study was carried out in randomly selected villages of the three districts of J&K (UT). A sample of 320 growers was taken for collecting the primary data with the help of a well-structured interview schedule. The study revealed that out of 33 respondents selected from the district Shopian, majority (63.64%) of the respondents had moderate level of perception, in District pulwama, majority (72.22%) of the growers were having medium level of perception about Soil Health card. Out of the total 159 growers in sopore, majority (76.10%) of the growers had medium level of perception about Soil Health card and out of the total 92 growers in zone Rafiabad, majority (56.52%) of the growers had medium level of perception about Soil Health card followed by 23.91 per cent of the growers who had low level of perception and only 19.57 per cent had high level of perception about Soil Health card. out of the total 320 growers in District baramulla, pulwama and Shopian, majority (71.87%) of the growers were having medium level of perception about Soil Health card followed by 15.63 per cent of the growers who had low level of perception and only 12.50 per cent had high level of perception about Soil Health card.