A STUDY ON FARMERS’ AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS BIOFERTILIZERS

Abstract

Biofertilizers are the preparations contain living microorganisms that can meet the essential plant nutrients when applied to the soil or seeds. The non-polluting and eco-friendly nature of Biofertilizers have made them inevitable components of organic farming. Organic farming is accepted worldwide as an effective sustainable farming practice. In India also the organic farming is gaining larger acceptance. The present study was conducted among 120 farmers of Kanjirapally Taluk to explore the farmers’ awareness and perception towards biofertilizers. The analysis of the collected data reveled that farmers have lack of awareness regarding Government initiatives to promote biofertilizers, crop specific usage of biofertilizers and subsidies for biofertilizers. Farmers exhibited less perception towards results of biofertilizer application, knowledge in the application methods and role of biofertilizers in sustainable farming practices. The farmers’ awareness about biofertilizers vary significantly with respect to education, monthly income, land holding, verities of crops cultivated and the types of fertilizers applied. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the variables education, type of fertilizer applied, training received, farm size, monthly income from farming and economic motivation are significantly associated with perception of farmers.

Key Words: Biofertilizers, Organic fertilizers, Sustainable farming practices.