Agriculture is pivotal for industrial progress, with cotton emerging as a critical component of the agricultural economy, particularly in India. This study evaluates the technological gaps in cotton cultivation among farmers in Punjab, a significant cotton-producing region. Cotton, referred to as white gold,plays a crucial role in India’s economy, contributing to GDP, industrial production, and export earnings while employing millions. Despite advancements in agricultural practices, a notable disparity exists between recommended and actual practices among farmers. The research was conducted in seven cotton-growing districts in Punjab, involving 350 farmers. Data were collected using an interview schedule focused on nine key cotton cultivation practices. The analysis revealed significant technological gaps, with the largest discrepancies observed in pest identification (60.38%) and pest control measures (51.0%). Other notable gaps were in irrigation practices, seed selection, and disease management. The study underscores the need for enhanced farmer education and the implementation of recommended practices to bridge these gaps and optimize cotton production. The primary challenge encountered was the limited awareness among farmers about scientific agricultural practices. The study contributes by identifying these gaps and offering targeted solutions to bridge them.
Sunnyrudh et al. (Mon,) studied this question.