STUDY ON ADOPTION AND MARKETING BEHAVIOUR OF MAIZE GROWERS IN COIMBATORE DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU.

Study on Adoption and Marketing behaviour of Maize growers", aimed to bring out a strategy to increase the adoption level of maize growers. The study was undertaken at three blocks viz. Udumalpet, Pollachi and Palladam blocks of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu. The analysis of extent of adoption indicated that the most favorable season for sowing was Adipattam by most of the farmers (54.44 %). Majority of the farmers followed all the maize field practices like basal urea application (61.11 %), top dressing (60.00 %), micronutrient application (46.70 %), seed treatment (34.50 %), weed crop protection (78.90 %) and water management (74.40 %). Most of the farmers in the study area (53.33 %) harvested the produce only when the seeds became dry and hard. The analysis of marketing behaviour indicated that the farmers sold the cobs in nearby town transporting through tractor. Study also indicated that one half of the respondents sold the entire harvested produce immediately after harvest through wholesalers. Majority of the farmers did grading and weighing before marketing the produce. Most of the farmers did not follow the storage pest protection measures. The neighbour farmers living in the same village were the main sources of information to the vast majority of maize growers. The crucial characteristics of the maize growers towards marketing behaviour were educational status, socioeconomic status, extension agency contact, storage facilities, market perception and market potential indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]