Analysis of Key Determinants Influencing Fertilizer Management in Major Field Crops of Telangana, India

Abstract

Balanced and efficient fertilizer application plays a vital role in achieving sustainable crop production and maintaining long-term soil health. The present study was conducted in 2024. A combination of ex-post facto and exploratory research designs was employed. Six major field crops of Telangana state were purposively selected. For each crop, one cultivating district, two mandals and six villages were randomly chosen resulting in a total of 36 villages and 360 farmers. The study examined 25 independent variables and three dependent variables representing knowledge and attitude towards fertilizer best management practices (FBMPs) and fertilizer management. Findings indicated that most farmers had elementary education, low experience in crop cultivation, low social participation, and medium levels of extension contact, information access, scientific orientation, economic motivation, institutional access, capital availability, and input availability. Sustainability orientation was generally low, and farmers largely followed a crop-based farming system. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences across farmer groups for key determinants such as education, experience, extension contact, information sources, scientific orientation, economic motivation, institutional and capital access, input availability, and farming system. Correlation coefficient revealed that, these factors were also found to be positively and significantly associated with fertilizer management. These findings highlight the need for customized extension interventions and policy measures to strengthen fertilizer management practices and ensure sustainable agricultural productivity.