PERCEPTION OF FARMERS ABOUT THE ROLE OF APMC IN MARKET-LED-EXTENSION

Perception is a cognitive process by which individuals organize, interpret, and understand their surroundings and environment which also includes impressions formed by objects, events, and people. The study was carried out in 7 districts of South Gujarat to identify the perception of the farmers about the role of APMC in market-led-extension. Total 160 farmers were randomly selected from 16 villages, 2 villages from each 4 APMCs from Tribal area and 4 APMCs from non-tribal area of South Gujarat. It was found that majority of the farmers from both the area had moderately perceived the roles of APMC in market-led-extension. The land holding, extension contact, training received, knowledge about the statutory activities of APMC, economic orientation, scientific orientation and risk orientation of farmers were found highly significantly associated with the role perception about market-led-extension. Whereas, education, source of information on marketing and cropping intensity were found significantly associated with role perception about market-led-extension. Therefore, it was suggested that systematic efforts on the part of APMC required for conducting the awareness activities among the farmers regarding reforms in regulated markets and role to be played by APMC in market-led-extension.