Archives of Current Research International

Pineapple production depends on farmers' knowledge and effective adoption of recommended cultivation practices. This study assessed the knowledge of pineapple growers, technological gaps in recommended cultivation practices, major constraints to adoption, and farmer suggestions for reducing these gaps in Sirsi Taluk of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. An ex-post facto research design was adopted. A total of 70 pineapple growers were selected from seven villages, with ten pineapple growers selected from each village. Primary data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested structured interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistical measures such as the mean, percentages and measures of dispersion. More than half of the respondents (52.86%) had a medium level of knowledge, while 25.71% and 21.43% had low and high knowledge levels, respectively. Regarding technological gaps, 38.57% of respondents were in the medium category, 32.86% were in the high category and 28.57% were in the low category. The largest practice-specific technological gaps were recorded for disease control (66.50%), fertiliser application (54.03%) and pest control (53.05%). Lack of knowledge regarding fertiliser calculation was the most frequently reported constraint (72.86%), followed by adverse climatic effects (67.14%) and non-availability of labour at critical periods (65.71%). Farmers mainly suggested the development of virus- and pest-resistant varieties, training in improved cultivation practices, exposure visits and improved access to plant-protection inputs. The findings indicate a need for targeted technical support and practice-oriented extension interventions to reduce gaps between recommended and adopted pineapple cultivation practices.