Decision making pattern of farmers on farm diversification

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineDECISION MAKING PATTERN OF FARMERS ON FARM DIVERSIFICATION newlineBY newlineJ. KAVIPRIYA, M.Sc. (Ag.) newlineDegree : DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (AGRICULTURE) IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION newlineChairman : Dr. K. MAHANDRAKUMAR, Ph.D. newlineProfessor (Agricultural Extension) newlineDepartment of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology newlineTamil Nadu Agricultural University newlineMadurai 625 104 newline2019 newlineThe study entitled Decision Making Pattern of Farmers on Farm Diversification aimed to assess the decision making pattern of farmers on different dimensions related to farm diversification. The farm diversification in spatial and temporal dimensions were also studied. Besides, an attitude scale was developed to measure the attitude of farmers towards farm diversification and suitable farm level index to identify the extend of diversification was also developed in this study. Further, the study focuses in identifying the factors influencing the farm diversification as perceived by the farmers in Cauvery Delta Zone. Nature of farm budgeting on farm diversification was also studied and developed an appropriate decision support system to help farmers on taking decisions related to farm diversification. newlineThe study was conducted in 6 districts viz Cuddalore, Ariyalur, Tanjore, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Trichy of Cauvery Delta Zone in Tamil Nadu. Twelve blocks were selected purposefully for the study based on the irrigated area under Cauvery river. Two revenue villages with maximum area under diversification were selected from each block. From each village 20 farmers are randomly selected, who are diversified under cultivation of crops. The sample of the study thus constituted 240 diversified farmers. The data were analyzed by using appropriate statistical tools and the significant findings are given here under. newlineComparison of past and present decades for the area under major crops revealed, farmers have diversified towards paddy, black gram, green gram, cotton, coconut from other crops in the Cauvery Delta Zone. newlineIn the past decade 11.15 percent of area were under gro