Adoption Behaviour of Organic Manures by Grape Growers in Karnataka, India

Abstract

The present study examined the adoption behaviour of organic manures among grape growers in Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka during 2023–24. An ex-post facto research design was used. Chikkaballapura district was purposively selected because it has a larger area under grape cultivation in southern Karnataka. Two taluks, namely Chikkaballapura and Sidlaghatta, were selected based on the area under grape cultivation. From these taluks, 12 villages were selected, and 120 grape growers, comprising 60 small farmers and 60 big farmers, were included in the study. Data were collected using a pre-tested interview schedule and analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings showed that 44.17 per cent of grape growers had low adoption of organic manures, 35.83 per cent had medium adoption and 20.00 per cent had high adoption. Overall, 80.00 per cent of respondents belonged to the low-to-medium adoption categories. Farmyard manure and oil cakes were more commonly adopted, whereas vermicompost, green leaf manure and biofertilisers showed lower adoption. Education, knowledge regarding organic manures, economic orientation, mass media participation, extension participation and extension contact showed a highly significant relationship with adoption. Age, experience in grape cultivation, cosmopoliteness, innovativeness and risk orientation showed a significant relationship with adoption. The study indicates the need for focused extension interventions, practical training and improved access to organic inputs to enhance adoption among grape growers.