IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF COMPETENCIES POSSESSED BY MANGO GROWERS IN DISTRICT FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Fruits are known to be the primary source of food for human being and fruit gardening can play a significant role in the economic development of any country. The actual yield of mango fruit in Pakistan produced at the farmers’ fields is considerably less than its potential yields. One of the major factors causing this huge yield gap is the lack of awareness of fruit growers regarding the modern production technology. This deficiency on the part of the mango growers can be overcome by comprehensive training and extension program for farmers concerning modern mango production techniques. The main objective of this paper is identification and prioritization of competencies possessed by mango garden owners in District Faisalabad. The target population consisted of mango fruit growing farmers of district Faisalabad. A stratified random sample of mango growing farmers was selected. The data were collected through personal interviews. It was found that the most crucial competencies where farmers need training are intercropping in Kharif and in Rabi season in selected mango fruit gardens, insect/pests and diseases and their control measures, time of fertilizer application to mango fruit plants and application of irrigation water in summer and in winter to mango fruit plants, pollination of mango fruit plants, marketing of mango fruits and adoption of recent improved varieties of mango fruits need more training. The Chisquare values for association between age groups, education level, tenancy status, size of land holding and knowledge level, skill, attitude, adoption level showed highly significant positive relationship between the age group, education level, tenancy status, size of land holding of mango growers and knowledge, skill, attitude and adoption level of recommended practices concerning mango production, protection and marketing.