Adoption behaviour of sericulturists a multivariate analysis
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Date
1994
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Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
A study was undertaken to estimate the knowledge level and extent of adoption of recommended practices in mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing by the sericulturists. It also aimed to identify the factors which motivated them to start this new enterprise and their constraints in adoption as well as
Reasons for non-adoption by prospective sericulturists. The study was conducted during 1993-94 among the sericulturists in Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala. The respondents for the study included both sericulturists (n=120) and prospective sericulturists (n=60). The data were collected by interview method using a pre-tested structured interview schedule.
It was found that majority (70%) of the respondents belonged to the medium adoption category. In the case of mulberry cultivation the adoption levels for FYM and fertilizer application and plant protection ware lows while in silkworm rearing, the practices like care at moulting, storage of leaf, temperature and relative humidity control. Sterilization of rearing rooms and appliances, bed disinfection and disease control were adopted only partially. Most of the farmers had only lesser rearing house and equipment facilities and reared lesser number of dfls.
Majority of the respondents (56.67%) had knowledge gap above the average level.
Leisure time availability, innovativeness, risk orientation, annual income and knowledge about recommended practices were the best set of variable for predicting the extent of adoption. Knowledge about recommended practices had the maximum direct effect on extent of adoption. Education level, innovativeness, risk orientation, extension linkage and attitude towards sericulture were the best set of variables for predicting the knowledge level of sericulturists. Extension linkage had the maximum direct on their knowledge level.
Profitability of the enterprise was the most important motivating factor. Whereas a successful neighbouring sericulturist was the most important motivating agent. Low price of cocoon, high cost of fertilizers, unfavourable climatic conditions, high labour cost, lack of marketing facilities and heavy disease incidences were the important constraints.
Most of the prospective sericulturists had not adopted sericulture due to the low price of cocoons which makes this enterprise non-profitable. Lack of adequate infrastructural and marketing facilities, lack of capital, lack of credit facility etc. were other important reasons for non-adoption.
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