CONSTRAINTS FACED AND SUGGESTIONS GIVEN BY POMEGRANATE GROWERS OF BIJAPUR DISTRICT

The pomegranate [Punica granatum (L.)] is commercially grown, apart from India, in a number of countries for its sweet acidic fruits, which provide a cool refreshing juice and it is valued for its medicinal properties. India being the second in the production of pomegranate has approximately 1.13 lakh ha area under this crop with a production of 7.97 lakh tons. It is grown commercially in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. At present Maharashtra is leading in pomegranate cultivation which accounts for 78% of the total area in India. Next to Maharashtra, maximum pomegranate cultivation takes place in Karnataka state having 12700 ha area with a production of 1,24,000 metric tons. In the recent past pomegranate gained momentum due to the production technologies developed by scientists and pomegranate can be successfully cultivated even under severe drought. With all this the area under pomegranate is not increasing as per the expectation and farmers are not giving emphasis on production of export quality fruits. Keeping this background in view the present study was undertaken with the objective to know the constraints faced by the farmers and to elicit suggestions given by pomegranate farmers. The present study conducted in the surrounding area of Bijapur district of Karnataka state revealed that the majority of the farmers expressed that bacterial blight has affected the area (88.33%), that the insecticide, fungicide (81.66%) and liquid fertilizers (76.66%) are costly and timely supply of electricity (65%) were the problems coming in the way of production to greater extent. In case of marketing of fruits high transportation cost (78.33%), no guaranteed marketing (65%) and high rate of commission (48.33%) were the greater extent problems faced by the pomegranate farmers. The suggestions given by them are constant monitoring by scientists, supply of blight resistant pomegranate cultivars, evolving short duration cultivars, supply of quality antibiotics to farmers by the state Department of Horticulture and guidance to adopt organic cultivation of pomegranate to ensure good export and local market.