Perception of Adoption of Pulse Cultivation Practices by NFSM Programme Beneficiaries in Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, India

The present study analyzes the adoption of improved technologies under the NFSM pulses program by the beneficiaries and to assessing the farmers' perception regarding the NFSM program in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Thoothukudi district was selected based on the largest area covered under NFSM pulses. Five blocks in Thoothukudi district namely Kovilpatti, Gayathar, Ottaipidaram Villathikulam, and Pudhur were purposively selected. Random sampling was used to collect primary data from 25 beneficiaries in each block and to make total sample is 120. Descriptive statistics and adoption index methods were used to analyze the beneficiaries’ perception regarding NFSM programme. Results revealed that the agricultural department was the major source of knowledge on the NFSM program followed by Friends/Neighbors. It shows that this department has actively participated in spreading the benefits of the NFSM programme to the farmers. About 53.33 percent of NFSM beneficiaries fall under medium adoption level. Concerning constraints on the adoption of the NFSM programme, the beneficiaries agreed that there is a lack of technical knowledge (55%), inability to understand all the information given in the NFSM programme (56.67%), lack of training (65%), longer time taken sanction of contingent amount (92.50%) and availability of subsidy for one hectare (100%). The beneficiaries disagreed with the availability of fertilizers on time (57.50%) and received seed after sowing (75%).