An analysis of technological gap in fig cultivation in Ballari district of Karnataka

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Ballari district during 2023-24 to analyze the technological gap in fig cultivation among growers of the Ballari district of Karnataka. The Ballari is purposively selected for having maximum production and productivity with highest area under fig in Karnataka. Using the ‘Ex-post facto’ research design by employing a simple random sampling technique, 120 respondents were selected and data were collected through a well-structured interview schedule. Results revealed that nearly half (45.00%) of the fig growers belonged to the low technological gap category, followed by high (29.17%) and medium (25.83%) technological gap categories. This is due to more than two-fifths of the respondents had low extension orientation, nearly half of the respondents had medium risk orientation, more than two-fifths of the respondents had medium innovative proneness and scientific orientation and nearly half of the respondents having medium management orientation. Cent per cent of fig growers had fully adopted the selection of varieties, drip irrigation and pruning while, 75.00 and 52.50 per cent of respondents adopted recommended training of fig tree and spacing, respectively. These results indicated that enhancing extension services and providing targeted management and risk training is key to bridging technological gaps and improving fig cultivation productivity.