Knowledge Gap of Agri-input Dealers in Farm Production

Abstract

Agri-input dealers are those who sell farm inputs (fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, etc.) to the farmers and also provide extension services to the farmers. Agri-input dealers are playing a most important role in farm productivity. Most of the Indian farmers are small and marginal farmers having small land holdings and limited resource availability. Hence it is very essential that knowledge related to high quality seeds, fertilizers and chemicals should be provided in raising productivity and income of the farmers by Agri-input dealers. The present study was conducted in Bhagalpur and Vaishali district of Bihar (India) during 2017-19. Data was collected from 120 Agri-input dealers through structured schedule. It was reported that most of the respondents were having secondary level of education and was having experience of 10 to 22 years as an Agri-input dealers. Majority (79.17 per cent) of the Agri-input dealers had received training on insect-pest control measure of different crops. 45.83 per cent of the respondents were having a turn over between 20 to 50 lakhs per annum. It was reported that most of the Agri-input dealers were having less knowledge about the pesticides recommendations, doses, banned pesticides and seed recommendations of various vegetables and cereals. As per the revealed data there is a need of various training programme to be conducted by government institutions and private company to increase the knowledge of the Agri-input dealers. Sensitization of Agri-input dealer is needed regarding health and hygiene.