Analytic hierarchy process

Technology

Weed management

Weed severity

Weed invasions change the natural diversity and balance of ecological communities which threaten the survival of many plants and animals. Therefore, weed management is important as far as crop production is concerned. Further, impact assessment has been proven as a means of measuring the effectiveness of any agricultural technology in improving productivity, reducing the poverty and increasing the livelihood security of the farmers. Present study focuses on highlighting socio-economic status of the farmers and agencies which play significant role in dissemination of weed related information as well as effect of weed management technologies on weed intensity in rice and wheat crops. Results revealed that before adoption, some weeds like Cyperus difformis, Fimbristylis milliacea and Ludwigia parviflora were found in very high severity (>75%) level in rice, however, after adoption of improved weed management technologies they reached to low and moderate severity (<50%) in farmers’ fields. According to 4.3% of the farmers, Phalaris minor is still present in wheat with very high level of severity (>75%) in most of their fields. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) revealed the major agencies which play important role in disseminating the weed management technologies to the farmers. Findings of  study stress on sensitizing different agencies and increasing their role in dissemination of weed management solutions to the farmers.