Assessment of innovativeness and risk orientation among Bt. cotton growers in Buldhana district of Maharashtra

The present study examines the innovativeness and risk orientation of Bt. cotton growers in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, a key region within Vidarbha known for cotton cultivation. Introduced in 2002, Bt. cotton revolutionized cotton farming in India by offering resistance against bollworm pests and enhancing yields. This study involved 120 randomly selected Bt. cotton growers from three tahsils - Sindakhed Raja, Deulgaon Raja and Chikhli. Findings revealed that a majority of growers exhibited a medium level of innovativeness (65.83%) and risk orientation (65.83%), indicating a cautious yet open attitude toward adopting new agricultural technologies. A smaller but significant portion showed high innovativeness (19.17%) and high risk orientation (21.67%), reflecting the presence of progressive growers. Many growers remained undecided on certain innovation and risk-related statements, suggesting hesitancy in adopting unproven practices without visible benefits. The study concludes that while Bt. cotton growers in the region are moderately receptive to innovations and risk, targeted efforts in awareness-building, demonstration, and farmer-to-farmer communication can further enhance adoption. These findings align with earlier studies and underscore the importance of supportive interventions to promote responsible and sustainable use of Bt. cotton technology in Indian agriculture.