An Examination of the Socioeconomic Profile of Gladiolus Stakeholders: A Study from Maharashtra's Akola District, India

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr. P. D. K. V. Akola, Maharashtra with exploratory design of social research. The data was collected, examined, classified, quantified and tabulated by personally interviewing the randomly selected stakeholders where the selected stakeholders comprise of four different categories flower growers, shopkeepers, consumers and university scientists where each category consist of 40 members making a total of 160 sample size. A well structured interview schedule was used to gather first-hand information from the respondents. Frequencies, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of correlation were employed to analyze collected data. Most stakeholders were middle-aged with moderate education, experience, income and motivation. Growers displayed medium innovativeness, risk preference and market orientation, shopkeepers and consumers maintained moderate economic motivation and social participation, while university scientists showed strong qualifications and balanced managerial and scientific abilities. The study indicates that gladiolus cultivation in Akola thrives on a stable, moderately skilled socio-economic base. Strengthening stakeholder linkages, promoting training, and enhancing market facilitation are key to improving floriculture productivity and profitability.