Perception and Adoption of Organic Farming Practices Among Mulberry Cultivators

The study was conducted purposively in selected three taluks of Kolar. The study revealed that cent per cent of the mulberry cultivators perceived organic manures as more useful, followed by composting of organic wastes (96.67%), organic mulches and green manures (81.67%) and intercropping (75.83%). Cent per cent of the farmers completely adopted organic manures, followed by composting of organic wastes (95.83%) and intercropping (73.33%). Majority of the mulberry cultivators have not adopted vermicompost (70.83%) and bio-fertilizers (65.83%). Out of seven characteristics selected for the study, five viz., education, land holding, social participation, risk orientation and decision making ability had significant relationship with perception and adoption. Besides this, innovative proneness had significant relationship with perception. Thus, it is necessary to intensify the extension educational programmes such as trainings, discussion meetings, demonstrations, field visits etc., for needed perceptual changes in mulberry cultivators. This will enable the farmers to adopt organic farming practices which inturn will help in the production of quality cocoons and pollution free environment.