Nagaland University study calls for location-specific strategies to support sustainable pineapple farming.
DIMAPUR — A study conducted by Nagaland University (NU) has highlighted the need for location-specific agricultural extension strategies to promote the adoption of sustainable pineapple farming practices in the state.
According to a DIPR report, researchers identified key factors influencing the adoption of sustainable practices among pineapple growers and called for stronger extension support, resource conservation, and district-specific interventions.
The findings identify the importance of strengthening farmers' access to technical information, extension services, and institutional support while integrating sustainability into existing horticultural development programmes.
It stated that pineapple is cultivated across all districts of Nagaland and is recognised for its distinctive flavour, sweetness, low fibre content, and high total soluble solids, ranging from 16.5 to 18 per cent. Despite the crop's economic and livelihood potential, growers continue to face challenges related to production, marketing, post-harvest management, and long-term resource sustainability.
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The study assessed the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices among pineapple growers across four key domains: agronomic practices, resource management, pest and disease management, and post-harvest management. It also examined differences in adoption across districts and identified the broader factors influencing farmers' adoption behaviour.
The findings were published in the Indian Journal of Extension Education, a peer-reviewed, Scopus-indexed journal covering agricultural extension, rural development, agricultural communication, and related aspects of rural and farming communities, published by the Indian Society of Extension Education.
The paper was co-authored by Sentibenla Pongener, Kaushal Kumar Jha, and Dr. Shagolsem Herojit Singh from the Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Nagaland University.
The researchers noted that practices such as intercropping, mixed cropping, organic nutrient management, soil and water conservation, appropriate input management, and crop-residue management can contribute to maintaining soil health, improving resource-use efficiency, and enhancing the long-term resilience of pineapple-based farming systems.