Yield gap and constraints in adoption of improved lac cultivation technology in Jharkhand

Abstract

This paper is based on the analysis of survey data of 500 lac growers in Ranchi and West Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand during two years (2002-2004). On the basis of survey data analysis, the yield gaps were observed to be 38.0, 49.3 and 19.1 per cent of the potential farm yield on the major lac host plants Palas (Butea monosperma), Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) and Kusum (Schleichera oleosa) respectively. The lower yield gap in case of lac cultivation on Kusum as compared to palas and ber can be attributed to higher realized yield of lac on Kusum. Lac growers could not adopt improved techniques of lac cultivation because of their poor condition. About 87.5% lac growers have adopted Phunki removal, 62.5% have adopted pruning of lac hosts, 42.0% have adopted bundling of broodlac and tagging on plant and 28.0% have adopted selection of good quality broodlac techniques. The adoption of coupe system of lac cultivation, spray of insecticide and use of synthetic net was below 10%. The major constraints faced by the lac growers (more than 50%) in lac cultivation have been identified to be shortage of funds for purchase of input, non-availability of improved inputs in local market, theft of lac, lack of scientific knowledge on lac cultivation, insect mortality due to environmental factors, operational difficulty due to host height, lack of demonstration on farmer’s field, long distance of market and lack of grading facility in the market.