Personal, Psychological and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Tomato Growers on Green Technologies in Southern Karnataka

Abstract

Tomato growers play a crucial role in vegetable production, and understanding their profile characteristics is essential for promoting green technologies. The study was conducted in 2024-2025 in Doddaballapur taluk of Bengaluru Rural district and Malur taluk of Kolar district of Karnataka, involving 60 tomato growers selected randomly. Data were collected through personal interviews and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. The results revealed that 66.67 per cent of the tomato growers belonged to middle-age group, and most (33.33 %) had education up to high school level. Medium family size was predominant (60.00 %), and 83.34 per cent of growers reported low to medium annual income. More than half of the growers had medium farming experience (56.67 %), medium extension contact (38.33 %), and medium extension participation (40.00 %). Medium information-seeking behavior (41.66 %), achievement motivation (43.34 %), risk orientation (40.00 %), innovative proneness (38.33 %), and scientific orientation (46.67 %) were also predominant. Differences between the two taluks were observed in extension participation, family size, and information-seeking behavior. The study indicates that most tomato growers possess moderate socio-economic, communicational, and psychological characteristics, which influence their adoption of green technologies. These findings can guide extension agencies and policymakers in designing targeted interventions to enhance the adoption of green technologies and improve productivity in Southern Karnataka.