Attitude of Farmers towards Makhana based Farming System Across Socio-economic Correlates in Kosi Region

AbstractMakhana crop is the pride of Bihar as ninety per cent of makhana production in India and eighty-five per cent of the global production comes from Bihar. The present study empirically estimates the attitude of farmers towards makhana based farming system with the help of scores of the socio-economic and socio-psychological profiles of farmers which provides essential resources in promoting favourable attitude of farmers, and making the makhana-based farming system profitable as well as sustainable. Locale of study comprised of districts Purnea and Katihar in Kosi region. One hundred twenty farmers selected randomly for the face-to-face interview with the help of a semi-structured schedule. Data were analysed with the help of statistical software 23. A scale to measure attitude of farmers towards makhana based farming system was constructed using Likert five-point continuum. It was found that the majority of the respondents possessed a favourable attitude scoring 116-140, whereas 15 per cent of the respondents possessed the most favourable attitude towards the Makhana-based farming system scoring greater than 140. 85.29 per cent of the favourable attitude category of farmers came under age category of 40-60 years. 34.1 per cent of the favourable attitude category farmers were least educated having only 1-5 years of education. 41.61 per cent of favourable attitude category of farmers were found in B.C. II cast. 79.24 per cent of the favourable attitude category of farmers were found involve in farming occupation. Among the favourable attitude category of farmers, 63.49 per cent the farmers possessed 15-25 years of farming experience. 85.91 per cent of the favourable attitude farmers were found in the annual income group of Rs. 80,000 – Rs. 1,30,000. Among the favourable attitude 74.27 per cent of the farmers found not receiving any type of training in Makhana cultivation. 47.76 per cent of the favourable attitude farmers have shown medium level of knowledge score (24-27). Knowledge was found to be positively correlated with attitude of farmers towards Makhana based farming system. Attitude is the predisposition to behave therefore favourableness of the attitude of the farmers towards makhana based farming system is precondition for enhancing production, income, and its contribution in economy of Bihar.