Thamban, C.Venugopalan, M.2014-06-172014-06-172007-02Plantation Crops Research and Development in the New Millennium,(Proceedings of PLACROSYM XIV) CPCRI, Kasaragod 2002 p-218-223http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/3015In Kerala, the largest producer of coconuts in the country, the productivity level remained low compared to many other states in India. Lack of adoption of scientific cultivation practices has been stated to be one of the important reasons for such a low productivity. A study was undertaken to analyse the adoption of recommended cultivation practices by the coconut farmers.The study covered 42 gramapanchayats in Kannur district of Kerala State with a total of 630 respondents. The results of the study revealed that recommended practices such as planting time, size of pit, depth of planting, application of organic manures and mulching of basins were having high level of adoption. But items such as hybrid varieties, improved irrigation methods like sprinkler and drip, control of pests like red palm weevil, biological control of pests, nematode management, and post harvest technologies like use of copra dryers were having low level of adoption. Lack of labour and high cost of labour, fluctuating market for the produce, lack of availability of quality planting materials, high cost of inputs, lack of awareness about the improved cultivation practices were some of the constraints experienced by the coconut growers. Socio-personal characteristics such as educational status, farm size, annual income, social participation, extension orientation, and mass media exposure had positive and significant relationship with the extent of adoption.The results of the study revealed the need for strengthening the educational efforts by the various research and extension agencies engaged in the development of coconut to benefit the farmers and also to encourage group management of cultivation practices at grass root level by organising the farmers to reduce cost of production and to enhance the effectiveness of extension efforts.enArticle