STRATEGIES FOR OROBANCHE MANAGEMENT IN FCV TOBACCO

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to analyze the strategies perceived by the tobacco farmers with respect to orobanche management in FCV (Flue Cured Virginia) tobacco. Expost facto research design is used, and random sampling technique is employed in selection of respondents. The study is based on field survey and interaction with FCV tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The primary data was collected during 2021-22 from 30 randomly selected FCV tobacco farmers in each of the two tobacco growing regions viz., Southern Light Soils (SLS) & Southern Black Soils (SBS) in Prakasam and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Light Soils (KLS) region in Mysuru district of Karnataka thus making total sample size of 60 respondents. In the present study, the strategies perceived by the farmers to effectively implement Orobanche management practices in FCV tobacco growing regions were identified for both the regions. Results showed that community approach and crop rotation practices at farmers’ end; convergence operation and village adoption programmes at institutional level; experiments in farmers’ fields and multi-location trials at research and development side; rapport and linkage with stakeholders and sound technical expertise at extension level; crop insurance, national level mass campaigns and strict quarantine measures at policy level are the most important strategies.