A Study on Constraint Analysis of Maize (Zea mays L) Crop in Karimnagar District of Telangana State, India

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop of the world. Maize, a globally significant crop, supplies around 30% of the food calories for over 4.5 billion people across 94 developing countries. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Jammikunta, Karimnagar, has played a key role in developing and disseminating location-specific technologies for maize one of its mandated crops. Over time, KVK has systematically assessed, refined, and demonstrated improved production technologies, including Zero tillage, stem borer control, hybrid seed production, wilt management, fertilizer management, drip irrigation, soil test based fertilizer application and management of zinc deficiencyin maize cultivation. This study was undertaken to analyze the constraints in the adoption of maize production technologies in Karimnagar district of Telangana. A total of 90 farmers were selected as respondents. The major constraints reported included the fallowed single cross hybrids are more susceptible to wilt (85.00%) are ranked fist, The next major constraint was the public hybrids are not available in the local market (85.00%), followed by higher stem borer incidence (85.00%) by others. Based on these findings, farmers suggested interventions such as the assessing the available chemicals for stem borer management (78.33%) followed by assessing newly developed hybrids for wilt management (76.67%), conducting large scale demonstrations on zero tillage(68.33%), creating awareness on usage of herbicides(68.33%), conducting demonstrations on seed cum Fertility drill(68.33%), assessing the harvesters and dehusking machines(68.33%). The results highlight the urgent need to strengthen FPOS and conduct demonstrations in zero tillage maize, awareness on herbicide use in maize in the district to enhance the productivity and sustainability of maize cultivation in the region.