Nagaland University researchers call for district-specific extension strategies, stronger farmer support and resource conservation to promote sustainable pineapple farming.
Lumami, Nagaland, Sept. 21: A study by researchers at Nagaland University has highlighted the need for location-specific agricultural extension strategies to encourage the adoption of sustainable farming practices among pineapple growers across the state.
The study identified access to technical information, extension services and institutional support as important factors influencing farmers' adoption of sustainable practices. The researchers called for sustainability measures to be integrated into existing horticultural development programmes, with interventions tailored to conditions in individual districts.
Pineapple is cultivated across all districts of Nagaland and is known for its distinctive flavour, sweetness, low fibre content and high total soluble solids (TSS), which range between 16.5 and 18 per cent. Despite its economic and livelihood potential, pineapple growers continue to face challenges related to production, marketing, post-harvest management and the long-term sustainability of natural resources.
The study assessed sustainable agricultural practices among pineapple growers across four broad areas — agronomic practices, resource management, pest and disease management, and post-harvest management. It also examined variations in adoption levels across districts and the wider factors influencing farmers' decisions to adopt sustainable practices.
Study stresses district-specific interventions
Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, said the research provided insights into the factors influencing sustainable pineapple farming practices in the state.
He said the findings pointed to the importance of location-specific strategies, stronger agricultural extension services, efficient resource conservation and greater support for farmers. He added that Nagaland University remained committed to research addressing local agricultural challenges and supporting sustainable livelihoods and environmentally responsible development.
Prof. Kaushal Kumar Jha of the Department of Agricultural Extension Education, School of Agricultural Sciences, said the study took an integrated approach to assessing sustainability in pineapple cultivation.
According to Jha, the research examined sustainable practices across multiple stages of the production system and analysed differences between districts. He said the findings showed that adoption levels and challenges were shaped by local conditions, making tailored extension strategies and district-specific interventions important rather than relying on a uniform approach across the state.
The researchers identified practices including intercropping, mixed cropping, organic nutrient management, soil and water conservation, appropriate input management and crop-residue management as measures that can contribute to soil health, resource-use efficiency and the long-term resilience of pineapple-based farming systems.
Access to extension services among key factors
Dr Shagolsem Herojit Singh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, said the study's factor analysis identified three broad dimensions influencing adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
These included land-use and income-related factors, motivational factors, and access to extension services.
The findings suggest that sustainability programmes need to consider farmers' economic circumstances, motivation, awareness and access to institutional guidance alongside the availability of agricultural technologies, Singh said.
The researchers also stressed the need to improve awareness of the long-term environmental and economic effects of farming practices, particularly in the context of climate change, soil degradation, nutrient depletion and pressure on natural resources.
Ms Sentibenla Pongener, PhD Scholar in the Department of Agricultural Extension Education, said sustainability awareness and capacity-building could be integrated into existing agricultural initiatives to support more climate-resilient and environmentally responsible pineapple production.
Research published in peer-reviewed journal
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 areas.
The paper was co-authored by Sentibenla Pongener, Prof. Kaushal Kumar Jha and Dr Shagolsem Herojit Singh of Nagaland University's Department of Agricultural Extension Education.
The researchers recommended strengthening need-based and location-specific training, field demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer extension, technical guidance and regular follow-up.
They said improved contact between farmers and extension services, along with district-specific planning, could help growers make informed decisions across different stages of pineapple production, from land preparation and planting to crop management, harvesting and post-harvest handling.
The study also provides a basis for further research into district-level adoption patterns, the effectiveness of extension interventions and the development of practical sustainability frameworks suited to Nagaland's pineapple-growing systems.
