Constraints faced by Sugarcane growers in adoption of integrated nutrient management practices and suggestions to overcome them: A study of Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra

Abstract:

The study was conducted in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra, to identify the constraints faced by sugarcane growers in adopting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) practices and to document their suggestions. A total of 120 sugarcane growers were selected randomly from six villages across two talukas, Sangamner and Rahuri. Data were collected through personal interviews and analyzed using Garrett's ranking technique and frequency percentages. The most severe constraint was the perception that organic manures yield lower net returns than chemical fertilizers (mean Garrett score 69.70), followed by unawareness about optimal nutrient combinations (68.46), irregular availability of organic inputs (60.70), residue management difficulties (52.72), and outdated training of extension personnel (49.03). Major suggestions included subsidies on organic manures (62.50%), short-duration training programmes (55.83%), timely input availability (49.16%), subsidized residue management equipment (55.00%), and stronger extension support (36.67%). The study concludes that economic and knowledge-related constraints dominate over technical ones, and promoting INM adoption requires financial incentives, capacity building, and stronger institutional linkages.