Constraints Faced by the Protected Growers of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The present study was conducted to analyze the constraints faced by protected vegetable growers of Himachal Pradesh. A sample of 240 respondents was chosen randomly using multistage random sampling from the mid-hill zone of Himachal Pradesh. The problems were analyzed using garret ranking and Chi-square test. Garret ranks showed that the main problems were lack of storage facility, inability to reap benefits of subsidies, and unavailability of plant protection chemicals and plant material. In Chi-square, the significant problems were inability to reap benefits of subsidies (7.39), lack of awareness about seed and plant treatments (6.28), unavailability of technical knowhow (6.02), and lack of storage facility (6.24). The precautionary steps to be taken care of during protected cultivation of crops include use of well-decomposed FYM, less frequent opening and closing of doors, soil treatment, and use of virus-free seeds. A proper knowhow and awareness among farmers can help in achieving sustainability through protected cultivation of crops.