Vol. 10, Special Issue 10 (2021)

Author(s):
Surender S, Balaji P, Ashok KR and Velavan

Abstract:
The aim of the research paper is to identify the factors influencing the purchase of herbicides and to analyze the constraints faced by the farmers among the select districts of Tamil Nadu. Analytical or diagnostic research and exploratory research design were designed to find the factors influencing the purchase of herbicides and to identify the constraints during the purchase of herbicides by the sample farmers among the select districts of Tamil Nadu. A well-structured interview schedule was prepared and primary data were collected using interview schedule from the sample farmers. Random sampling method was used for the collection of data. 200 sample farmers were selected in four districts of Tamil Nadu who were purchased herbicides from the input shops for the last one year. Five point Likert scale technique were used to collect the data collection. The collected data were analysed using Factor analysis and Garette Ranking techniques. Economical factor with an initial Eigen value of 4.321 and % of variance was 30.867 was the most influencing factor followed by the psychological or motivational factors, morphological factors and situational factors respectively. The major constraints faced by the farmers during the purchase of herbicides were lack of awareness or knowledge about herbicide products followed by lack of credit availability in the input shops, lack of market information about improved weed management technologies and so on.