Input Utilization Pattern of Rice Farmers in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract:

The present investigation was done to study input utilization pattern of rice farmers in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.  Ex-post facto research design was followed for the study and sample of 120 respondents were drawn. The inputs Viz., seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides and rodenticides play a major role in determining the net income per unit area of rice cultivation. The utilization of inputs greatly influencing the farmers by way of their availability, quality, timely application, dosage, method of application etc. in rice cultivation. Majority of the farmers might be contacting the fellow farmers who are progressive and opinion leaders in the village. Dealers, scientists and department of agricultural officials might not have been considered for seed due to lack of their direct involvement in farming. The same trend has been noticed with fertilizers also due to limited number of variants and use of routine type of fertilizers in rice cultivation. For insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and rodenticides might be approaching input dealers to choose the desired brand as perceived by the farmers. Cooperative society is one of the important input agency providing mainly seeds, fertilizers and other inputs which are predominant in rice cultivation. Regarding insecticides and rodenticides farmers might be approaching input dealers as they have more number of brands of different companies than the cooperative societies.