RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTITUDES OF TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL RICE FARMERS TOWARD SUSTAINABLE RICE FARMING

This study in Wayanad district, Kerala, aimed to explore the profile characteristics of tribal and non-tribal rice farmers and their attitudes toward sustainable rice farming. One panchayat from each Agro-Ecological Unit (AEU) with significant rice cultivation and tribal populations was selected, with 180 respondents (30 tribal and 30 non-tribal farmers from each panchayat) chosen randomly. Thirteen personal and social characteristics were analysed as independent variables. Both groups generally fell into the medium category for variables such as extension participation, information-seeking behaviour, achievement motivation, deferred gratification, rational orientation, and innovative proneness. A simple correlation was identified between the selected profile characteristics and the attitudes of tribal and non-tribal rice farmers towards sustainable rice farming. The study found that tribal farmers’ attitudes towards sustainability positively correlated with their age, farming experience, extension participation, achievement motivation, and deferred gratification, but were inversely related to factors like educational status, occupational status, annual income, family size, information-seeking behaviour, market orientation, rational orientation, and innovative proneness. For non-tribal farmers, positive attitudes toward sustainability were linked to age, farming experience, deferred gratification, rational orientation, and innovative proneness. However, an inverse relationship was observed with educational status, occupational status, annual income, information-seeking behaviour, achievement motivation, and market orientation.