Analysis of Utilization Pattern of Seri-Byproducts Among Sericulturists in Kolar District

The study was conducted in two taluks of Kolar district in Karnataka state. From each taluk three prominent sericulture villages were purposively selected. A sample of 120 sericulturists and from each village 20 sericulturists were selected by simple random technique. The findings revealed that the most utilized seri-byproducts namely, fodder (3 mean score), fuel (3), compost (2.73), biogas (1.83), timber wood (1.55), fruit (1.34), vermicompost (1.33) and mulberry tea (1.00) were in the order of preference. Fodder and fuel were most frequently utilized as seri-byproduct by cent per cent of the respondents followed by compost (84.17%). Correlation analysis between overall utilization pattern of seri-byproducts and various independent variables of the respondents exhibited positive and significant relationship with educational status, farm size, annual farm income, experience in seri-farming, silkworm rearing intensity, extension contact and livestock possession. Hence, various extension educational activities could be taken up by the extension agencies to educate the sericulturists about proper utilization of seri-byproducts which will in turn generate employment and additional income.