Sources of information used by the farmers of the pulse based cropping system of Chhattisgarh plains

Abstract

The study was conducted on 320 pulse-based cropping system practicing farmers in the Chhattisgarh Plains to ascertain their communicational characteristics. Selected pulse growing farmers have been interviewed personally with the help of a well-structured and pre-tested interview schedule. The study shows that the majority of respondents fall under the age group of 36 to 50 years, were educated up to middle school, belonged to other backward classes, resided with up to medium family members, and had membership in more than one organization. Majority of the respondents were engaged in agriculture as their main occupation; although many farmers were also engaged in secondary occupations to support their families. In addition, the respondents were also engaged in agricultural labor, non-agricultural labor, and animal husbandry. It was found that, despite short-term credit-seeking behavior, the average family income was up to ?200000 annually. Friends, family, and progressive farmers farmers were the primary sources of information for the majority of respondents regarding agricultural technologies due to their higher credibility and relationship with RAEOs.