ADOPTION BEHAVIOUR OF BRINJAL GROWERS TOWARDS INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

The present study was conducted in Korukonda and Ramchandrapuram division having prominent area under brinjal in East Godavari district by selecting 4 villages from each mandal for study. Total 72 brinjal growers were selected. The study revealed that personal and socio economic characteristics of the respondents education, , land holding , extension participation , area under brinjal , extension contact and mass media exposure were positively and significantly correlated with their level of adoption of IPM practices. The variable age, family type, annual income and occupation had negative and significant correlation with the adoption level. Availability of biopesticides, pheromone traps and light traps at reasonable price and at local places were the important suggestions made by brinjal growers. The other suggestions were insect organization of demonstration campaign for proper guidance on IPM practices and for identifying insect pest from state department of agriculture and state agricultural universities.