Evaluation of Existing, Desired Competencies and Skills of Apple Growers in Low and High Altitude Regions of Shopian, Jammu & Kashmir, India

The present study was conducted in low and high altitude areas comprising of villages viz. Keegam, Tikora and Tengwani (low altitude areas) and Imam-Sahab, Hillow and Nagbal (high altitude areas) of district Shopian of Jammu and Kashmir with sample size of 120 apple growers. The district Shopian was purposively selected, because of the potentiality for the development of horticulture, mainly because 90 per cent area of the district was under apple plantation. It has been observed that most of the apple growers were not able to perform different tasks (not skilled) regarding apple cultivation and as such they were of the opinion that they need special training sessions in order to be enough competent to perform different tasks in apple cultivation, some apple growers were eager to get trainings on priority basis. It has also been observed that the skills and competencies of the fruit growers regarding expert guidance planning, layout planning, weed management, pest and disease management, intercultural operations, soil testing etc. were low and as such fruit growers need trainings mostly in soil and water testing, pest and disease management, physiological disorder management among others.