KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND UTILIZATION PATTERN OF ORGANIC INPUTS BY THE FARMERS
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Date
2015-01
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University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
Abstract
The research study was conducted in Dharwad, Belagavi, Gadag and Haveri districts
of north Karnataka which fall under the jurisdiction of University of Agricultural Sciences,
Dharwad which is actively involved in promoting organic farming practices by establishing
Institute of Organic Farming. Two hundred and forty farmers formed the sample for the study.
Two scales were developed for the study one for measuring the knowledge of farmers
regarding organic inputs usage and another for measuring the perception of farmers
regarding organic farming inputs usage. The scales were standardized for wider applicability.
The study revealed that, majority of farmers (50.42%) had medium knowledge about
organic input usage. Among the different organic inputs, the knowledge possessed by
farmers with respect to organic manures was to the extent of 73.44 per cent. With respect to
perception of farmers, majority (65.83%) had the perception that “Organic inputs are not
available in local market”. Seventy two per cent of variation in knowledge regarding organic
input usage was explained by independent variables selected for the study. Regression
coefficients of education, farming experience and extension contact were found to be
significant at one per cent level.
Cent per cent of farmers had applied the FYM and 45.00 per cent of farmers applied
vermicompost. Among different bio-fertilizers, rhizobium was applied by higher per cent of
farmers (35.83%) followed by azotobacter (13.75%) and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria
(13.75 %). The most influencing factor to adopt organic inputs was “Concern for degrading
soil fertility and productivity” which stands first as it was expressed by 77.08 per cent of
farmers. “Motivational activities to use organic inputs” (76.67%), “Separate market facility to
the organic produce” (73.75%) and “Supply of organic inputs at village level” (67.92%) were
important suggestions given by the farmers.
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