Differences in performance of pomegranate growers under public and private extension services

Abstract

The Pomegranate is cultivated as a commercial crop because of its high income generating capacity. The pomegranate needs a critical care at the production level and it enhances the need of consultancy service for the production. Hence, there are number of Private people working as consultants along with public extension personnel. The affordability of the growers to pay is a key factor for private extension in the area. The study was conducted in Hiriyuru, Chitradurga and Challakere taluks of Chitradurga district with a total sample size of 120 comprising 60 growers each under public extension and private extension systems. The "Ex-post fact" research design was used in the study. The 40 per cent of the growers were under medium adoption category in public extension services and under private extension service 40 per cent growers were found in high adoption category. The growers who were availed public extension services belonged to medium income category (43.33%). Whereas 45 per cent of growers from private extension service fall under high income category. The Benefit to cost ratio was highest in Challakere taluk (3.47) in case of private extension and in Public Extension the highest return was found in Hiriyuru (3.05). The results indicated that the farmers under private extension services obtained higher income by adoption of improved practices. This may be attributed to the facts that the private extension offer recent and competent technological information including marketing services on payment basis.