Influence Of Socio-Psychological Characteristics In Adoption Of Organic Farming Practices In Coconut Based Homesteads In Humid Tropics

A study was conducted to find out the influence of socio-psychological characteristics in adoption of organic farming practices in coconut based homesteads. The study was conducted in Kalliyoor, Venganoor and Kuzhumilum panchayats of Nemom, Adiyanoor and Chirayin keezh blocks respectively in Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala state, India. Multistage random sampling technique was administered to select 105 coconut based homesteads farmers, 35 per each block. Data were collected through pretested structured interview schedule and the relationship between the dependent variables and adoption was studied using correlation analysis. Correlation coefficient indicated that education, innovativeness, risk orientation, market perception, self confidence, information seeking behavior, awareness, knowledge and attitude towards organic farming practices showed significant correlation with adoption. However age, experience in coconut cultivation, livestock possession, training attended and environmental orientation had negative and non significant correlation with adoption of organic farming practices among the coconut based homestead farmers DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cocos.v19i2.475