Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) Analysis of Custom Hiring Service Centres: Strategic Assessment for Inclusive Agricultural Mechanization

Abstract

The present study was carried out during 2024-25 to find out strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of custom hiring service centres as perceived by farmers. Fifty farmers from three custom hiring centres in Mandya district of Karnataka state were interviewed with the help of a pre-tested schedule. Ex-post facto research design was followed in the present study. The collected data was started and analysed using frequency, percentage and chi-square test. The major strengths of custom hiring service centres as perceived by the farmers were: all types of farming equipments are available in custom hiring service centres, quality services are provided by custom hiring centres and the custom hiring service centres are supported by SKDRDP. The services offered by custom hiring centres was majorly contributed in answering farm labour scarcity, attain precision in inputs application and irrigation.  A majority of farmers has correct knowledge about custom hiring service centres. Education, cosmopoliteness, mass media participation, extension agency contact and extension participation of farmers had significant association with the knowledge level of farmers regarding custom hiring service centres. Policy makers may consider the threats and formulate solutions for the problems faced by the farmers in custom hiring centres, besides considering the opportunities for effective functioning of custom hiring service centres.