Interrelationships among personal, socio-economic, and psychological characteristics of coconut farmers: Insights from a multi-storeyed farming system

This study investigates the interrelationships between personal, socio-economic, and psychological characteristics of coconut-growing farmers utilizing multi-storeyed farming systems. Analyzing data from 40 coconut growers practicing multi-storeyed cropping system in coconut were chosen from Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, we identify several significant correlations that shed light on these dynamics. Landholding size exhibits a strong positive correlation with both annual income and farming experience, indicating that farmers with larger landholdings typically achieve higher income levels and that extensive farming experience is often associated with advancing age. Furthermore, active participation in agricultural extension services is positively correlated with material possession, suggesting that farmers who engage more with extension programs are likely to acquire more assets, potentially due to improved access to resources and enhanced farming practices. In contrast, a higher level of farming commitment is negatively correlated with landholding size and annual income, implying that greater dedication to farming does not necessarily equate to larger landholdings or higher income, possibly due to limitations in land expansion or resource availability. Economic motivation is positively related to social participation, age, and farming experience, highlighting that farmers with a strong economic drive tend to be more socially active and possess greater experience and maturity. These findings illustrate the complex interplay between various characteristics, offering insights into how these factors collectively impact economic and operational outcomes in agricultural settings.