Comparative Analysis of Productivity and Pesticide Application in Net House and Open Field Vegetable Cultivation

The present study examined productivity, expenditure on pesticides and concentration of pesticide residue in vegetables cultivated under the net house and open field systems. It was based on primary data collected from 120 vegetable growers consisting of 60 net house vegetable cultivators and 60 open field cultivators in Punjab state. The vegetable cultivation was more remunerative in a net house than the open field situation, mainly due to higher yield, the higher price received, and the lesser frequency of pesticide application. The net house technology successfully achieved its objective of improving the income of vegetable growers and making the vegetables fit for consumption.