No abstract

A survey research was conducted in Baskharka and Purnagaun Village Development Committees of Parbat district to access determinants of productivity and causes of citrus decline. The general objective of the research was to know the different management practices and dimensions of productivity under mandarin in Parbat district. Total sample size of 120 was selected by using simple random sampling. The primary data were collected using pretested questionnaire in 2018. Majority of respondents (65%) had agriculture as a primary occupation for income and respondents had been involved in mandarin farming since 8 to 40 years. The land holding under mandarin orchard per household and livestock holding per household were found to 0.39 ha and 5.65, respectively. The productivity and price per kg mandarin was found 7.26 mt/ha and NRs.102.5, respectively. Productivity of mandarin was found significantly associated positively with years of involvement (p=0.01) in mandarin farming, pruning in effective time period (p=0.01), and negatively associated with manuring (0.09), and intercropping practices (p=0.01). Citrus decline (p=0.004) was found to be significant with number of years in mandarin farming. Bugs, Powdery mildew, lack of insurance and transportation were major problems of mandarin production in the study area. The study pointed out that the mandarin farming could be highly profitable enterprise in Parbat district of Nepal and its commercialization can be promoted by addressing the different factors affecting its management practices.

A research was conducted using primary data for the year 2012 obtained from randomly selected 120 vegetable farmers using pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. Nalang and Salang VDCs of Dhading district in Nepal were purposively selected for the study. Different variables were fed to probit regression model to identify and quantify the major factors affecting the adoption of sustainable soil management technology. Overall, the model predicted 85.76%of the sample correctly. The findings of the study revealed that number of economically active family members, household head education, livestock holding, membership in farmer's group and credit availability affects positively whereas, age of household head affects negatively in the adoption of sustainable soil management technology. A unit increased in economically active family members, years of education and livestock standard unit would increase the probability of adoption of technology by 21.3, 5.8 and 7.6% respectively. Likewise, if farmers were made member in the groups and credit made available, the probability of adoption of technology would increase by 46.2 and 46.3% respectively. But a unit increased in the age of household head would decrease the level of adoption by 1.4% indicating old aged farmers do not adopt innovative technologies in agriculture.