Vol. 11, Special Issue 1 (2022)

Author(s):
Zade PM, Puri SG and Bhosale GB

Abstract:
The present study explored the profile characteristics of farmers regarding solar energy utilization in farming system. The study was conducted in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state during the year 2020-21. Parbhani district was selected randomly from Marathwada region. Three talukas and four villages from each selected talukas were selected randomly from the Parbhani district for the study. Ten respondents from each selected village were selected randomly, in this way the total 120 respondents were considered for the present investigation. An Ex-post-facto research design was followed for the study. Data was gathered using a well-structured interview schedule created with the study's objective in mind. The collected data was analysed, classified, and tabulated. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and coefficient correlation were used to interpret findings and draw conclusions. The detailed analysis of profile characteristics of farmers indicated that the majority (53.33 per cent) of the respondents belonged to the middle age group, one third (38.33 per cent) of the respondent were educated up to high school level, half (50.00 per cent) of the respondents were small land holders, majority (66.67 per cent) respondent had medium family size, majority (83.33 per cent) of the respondents belonged to medium level of annual income i.e., Rs. 50120/- to Rs. 252296/-, more than half (53.33 per cent) of the respondents had fair irrigation status, two-third (65.00 per cent) of the respondents had medium extension contact, three-fifth (60.00 per cent) of the respondents had medium economic motivation, majority of (72.50 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of risk orientation and significant percentage (60.83 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of scientific orientation.