Profile characteristics of cultivators of two major makhana ecosystems in Katihar District of Bihar State

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Kadwa and Korha block of Katihar district of Bihar state to study the profile characteristics of the cultivators of two major makhana ecosystems viz., makhana as sole crop and makhan with fish. A total of 120 respondents (60 from each ecosystem) were randomly selected for the study. Ex-post-facto research design was used for the present study. It was found that in both the ecosystems, most of the respondents were middle aged, educated up to middle school, had 5 to 7 members in the family, medium role of family members in makhana farming, marginal land under makhana cultivation, medium input usage, medium participation in farmers’ group, medium source of information, no credit availed, high application of ICT tools, no trainings received, no processing and value addition done, medium market accessibility, no availment of government support and subsidies, low implements and machinery possessed, medium perceived drudgery and net returns between 1-2 lakh (46.67%).