Training need assessment of apple growers of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The study conducted on 100 growers selected randomly from five villages of Pooh block of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh revealed that 55 per cent of them had medium level of knowledge about scientific cultivation of apple. A majority of the respondents had knowledge about varieties of apple (100%), pollinators in apple orchards (98%), optimum time of pruning (91%), time of planting in the field (89%) and the number of days a field should be left open before planting (84%) but lacked knowledge in the areas of weed control, management of insect pests and diseases, fruit setting and control of fruit dropping. This implies that technical knowledge in the form of short duration training programmes, on the spot guidance, demonstrations etc on the above aspects should be provided to them. The respondents needed training in postharvest technology, fruit setting, application of manures and fertilizers, weed control and marketing of apple. Unprecedented weather conditions followed by frequent road blockage particularly at the time of marketing and lack of marketing knowledge etc were some of the main constraints faced by them. The respondents suggested that the trainings should be need-based, given on practical aspects, conducted at a convenient place and they should be informed well in time.