Assessment of Training Needs and Information Seeking Behaviour of Apple Growers in North- Western Himalayan Region of India (Jammu and Kashmir)

Dawood Yousuf *

Division of Agriculture Extension and Communication, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, India.

Lyaqet Ali

Division of Agriculture Extension and Communication, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, India.

Zahoor Ahmad Shah

Division of Agriculture Extension and Communication, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, India.

Bashir Ahmad Alie

Division of Agronomy, FOA Wadura SKUAST-K, India.

Raies Ahmad bhat

Division of Agronomy, FOA Wadura SKUAST-K, India.

Tahir Ahmad Sheikh

Division of Agronomy, FOA Wadura SKUAST-K, India.

Sadaf Iqbal

Division of Agronomy, FOA Wadura SKUAST-K, India.

Mohammad Ishaq Naikoo

Division of Agronomy, FOA Wadura SKUAST-K, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Agriculture remains a key sector of the Indian economy, accounting for 18-20% of GDP and providing livelihoods to around 50% of the population. Efficient agricultural decision-making depends on timely information and farmers' demand for such information. This study assessed the training needs and information-seeking behaviour of apple growers in North Kashmir. A survey method was used in Baramulla district, the largest apple-growing district of Jammu and Kashmir. A sample of 300 apple growers was randomly selected from 15 purposively selected horticultural zones using a proportionate sampling technique. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the most prioritised training area was apple disease management, which ranked first with the highest STNI value of 96.66, followed by training and pruning, which ranked second with an STNI value of 95.66. Government schemes and subsidies had an STNI value of 95.13, while training related to high-density plantation had an STNI value of 95.26. Packaging (48.26), value addition (47.45) and site selection (31.20) were the least preferred training needs. Farmers regularly sought information on disease management, spray schedules, and the price and source of inputs, which ranked first, second and third, respectively. Landholding, source of information and scientific orientation had positive and significant relationships with training needs. Therefore, need-based and cost-effective training programmes should be tailored to strengthen human resource use and support sustainable apple production.

Keywords: Training need, information seeking behaviour, apple growers, agriculture


How to Cite

Yousuf, Dawood, Lyaqet Ali, Zahoor Ahmad Shah, Bashir Ahmad Alie, Raies Ahmad bhat, Tahir Ahmad Sheikh, Sadaf Iqbal, and Mohammad Ishaq Naikoo. 2026. “Assessment of Training Needs and Information Seeking Behaviour of Apple Growers in North- Western Himalayan Region of India (Jammu and Kashmir)”. Archives of Current Research International 26 (7):461-72. https://doi.org/10.9734/acri/2026/v26i72021.

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