Constraints faced by the sugarcane growers in adoption of soil health management practices in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra

Abstract

The present study was conducted to identify the constraints faced by sugarcane growers in the adoption of Soil Health Management (SHM) practices and to document their suggestions for improvement. The research was carried out in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra, India, with a sample of 150 randomly selected sugarcane farmers from three major tehsils Karveer, Hatkanangle, and Shirol using an ex-post facto research design. Results revealed that the most severe constraints were lack of knowledge regarding recommended fertilizer doses and micronutrients as per soil testing reports (90.00%), insufficient technical knowledge in soil sampling and interpretation (88.00%), and high cost and limited availability of quality organic inputs and bio-fertilizers (73.33%). Farmers recommended organizing demonstrations and training programs (92.00%), establishing local soil testing laboratories (78.67%) and improving access to subsidies and inputs (72.67%) as key solutions. The study highlights the need for focused extension strategies, input support and policy-level interventions to strengthen SHM adoption and promote sustainable sugarcane farming.