Relationship between the Profile of Soybean Growers and their Knowledge and Adoption of Liquid Biofertilizer in Marathwada Region of Maharashtra

Abstract

The study “Knowledge and adoption of liquid biofertilizers among the soybean growers” was conducted to delineate the relationship between profile of soybean growers with their knowledge and adoption of liquid biofertilizers in Parbhani district of Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. 120 respondents were randomly selected for the present study from 12 villages of 2 talukas of Parbhani district. Data were collected using a well-structured interview schedule. There were two dependent variables namely “knowledge” and “adoption” and ten independent variables. Data were analysed by using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson’s coefficient of correlation. According to the profile of soybean growers, majority of the soybean growers were educated up to Middle school level (29.17%), having small land holdings (40.83%), with medium annual income (89.17%), area under soybean cultivation (71.67 %), extension contact (70.00 %), level of social participation (55.83%), economic motivation (70.00%), risk orientation (64.17%), using medium source of information (74.17%), and belonged to medium innovativeness (72.50%). According to correlation analysis, Education, Source of information and Innovativeness of soybean growers showed positive and highly significant relationship with their knowledge and adoption of liquid biofertilizer technology. Area under soybean cultivation, Extension contact, Social participation, Economic motivation, and Risk orientation of soybean growers showed positive and significant relationship with knowledge and adoption about liquid biofertilizer technology. Land holding and annual income of soybean growers showed non-significant relationship with the knowledge and adoption about liquid biofertilizer technology.