ANALYZING THE GAP BETWEEN RECOMMENDED AND ADOPTED PRACTICES OF POTATO PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IN DISTRICT OKARA, PUNJAB

Muhammad Shakeel Latif; Nowshad Khan; Farhat Ullah Khan

Muhammad Shakeel Latif Department of Agricultural Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad
Nowshad Khan Department of Agricultural Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad
Farhat Ullah Khan Department of Agricultural Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad

Keywords: Potato, Production Technology, Awareness, Adoption, Practices

Abstract

Potato is an important vegetable crop. It is grown under cooled season with sandy to clay loamy fertile soil. Potato is the rich source of Potassium and Vitamin C. Agriculture extension sources (public and private) actively participate for imparting awareness to farmers about recommended practices for potato production and provide guideline for adopting these practices. The main focus of this studywas to analyze the gap between recommended and adopted practices of potato production technology. Okara is the main hub of Potato in Pakistan. From 3 tehsils (Okara, Depalpur, Renala Khurd) of district Okara, tehsil okara was selected randomly. The study had been designed by collecting primary data through field survey, using random sample of 120 potato growers from Okara. Frequencies and Percentages were used as statistical tool through SPSS 20.0.0. The study showed that mostly farmers were aware of recommended production technology of potato and many of them adopted too. But a large number did not used recommended practices. So there is the need to enhance the efforts of extension services and introduce more advanced recommendations for achieving high per acre yield of potato. Extension efforts must be according to need of farmers.