A Study on Knowledge Level of Recommended Cultivation Practices of Hybrid Castor in North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The study was under taken on hybrid castor cultivation in Tamil Nadu
predominantly concentrated in North western region. To assess the farmers’ knowledge on
hybrid castor production technology, the present study was undertaken in two districts of
Tamil Nadu state. From each districts, two blocks were selected. From each blocks, four
villages were selected. Exactly 120 castor growers were selected proportionately from eight
selected villages. It was found that in the sampled population, majority of hybrid castor
growers (79.20 per cent) had medium level of knowledge, followed by high (11.60 per cent)
and low (9.20 per cent) level of knowledge about hybrid castor cultivation practices. The
finding also revealed that out of 14 variables, six viz., annual income, extension agency
contact, mass media exposure, scientific orientation, risk orientation and economic motivation
had shown a positive and significant relationship with knowledge at one per cent level of
significance. The variable experience in castor cultivation alone showed a positive and
significant relationship with knowledge at five per cent level of significance. The values of
regression co-efficient of the variables, experience in castor cultivation and risk orientation
were found to be positive and significant at one per cent level of probability. The variables
namely mass media exposure, innovativeness and risk orientation were found to be positive
and significant at five per cent level of probability.