An Assessment of Existing, Desired Competencies and Skills of Apple Growers in Mid Altitude Areas of District Shopian in Jammu & Kashmir
Zahoor Ahmad Shah *
Research Scholar, Division of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, (SKUAST-K), India.
Rekhi Singh
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Srinagar, India.
Rufaida Mir
Research Scholar, Division of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, (SKUAST-K), India.
Jehangir Muzaffar Matoo
Research Scholar, Division of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, (SKUAST-K), India.
Mushtaq Ahmad Dar
Division of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, (SKUAST-K), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was conducted in mid altitude areas comprising of villages viz-Chek-Sadipora, Sadipora and Narvav of district Shopian of Jammu and Kashmir with sample size of 60 apple growers. The district Shopian was purposively selected, because of the potentiality for the development of horticulture, mainly because 90 per cent area of the district was under apple plantation. Most of the apple growers use traditional methods for their apple cultivation, so different skills and competencies, where apple growers need special trainings were studied and it has also been observed that the skills and competencies of the fruit growers regarding expert guidance planning, layout planning, weed management, pest and disease management, intercultural operations, soil testing etc. were low and as such fruit growers need trainings mostly in soil and water testing, pest and disease management, physiological disorder management among others.
Keywords: Altitude, apple growers, competencies, Kashmir, skills.