Attitude of Farmers towards Blackgram Cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, India
M. Uday Bhaskar *
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, ANGRAU-Agricultural College, Bapatla, A.P, India.
P. V. Sathya Gopal
ANGRAU- DAATT Centre, Narasaraopet, A.P, India.
V. Sailaja
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, ANGRAU- S.V Agricultural College, Tirupati, A.P, India.
Y. Reddi Ramu
Department of Agronomy, ANGRAU- S.V Agricultural College, Tirupati, A.P, India.
P. Lavanya Kumari
Department of Statistics and Computer applications, ANGRAU-S.M.G.R. Agricultural College, Udayagiri, A.P, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) is one of the most important pulse crops cultivated in India because of its nutritional value, low input requirements, and soil-fertility-improving characteristics. Despite its significance in farming systems, blackgram cultivation continues to face several production and marketing challenges that ultimately influence farmers’ attitudes and willingness to continue cultivation. In this context, the present study was undertaken to assess farmers’ attitudes towards blackgram cultivation in Andhra Pradesh and to identify the major factors influencing their attitudes towards the crop. The study was conducted in three major blackgram-growing districts of Andhra Pradesh, namely Kurnool, Guntur, and Krishna, representing the Kharif, Rabi, and Rice Fallow ecosystems, respectively. A total of 240 blackgram farmers were selected using a multistage sampling procedure. The final attitude scale consisted of 18 statements comprising both positive and negative dimensions of blackgram cultivation. Data were collected through personal interviews and analysed using suitable statistical tools. The findings revealed that most respondents had a neutral attitude (32.50%) or a moderately favourable attitude (26.25%) towards blackgram cultivation, while 22.40 per cent exhibited a moderately unfavourable attitude. The chi-square analysis indicated a significant association between farmers’ attitudes and the selected districts. The statement-wise analysis revealed that farmers strongly agreed that blackgram cultivation is relatively easy, requires limited inputs, and improves soil fertility. At the same time, respondents expressed serious concerns regarding the rising cost of cultivation, inadequate marketing facilities, low price realisation, the absence of assured procurement, and inadequate government support. The findings emphasise the need to strengthen extension support, ensure remunerative prices, improve procurement and marketing infrastructure, promote farmer producer organisations, and develop location-specific interventions for different blackgram ecosystems to enhance profitability, sustainability, and livelihood security through blackgram cultivation.
Keywords: Blackgram, farmers’ attitudes, pulse cultivation, production constraints, marketing constraints, agricultural extension, livelihood security