Silk farming is important agro-based rural industry that plays an important role in the rural economy and provides livelihood throughout the year. Technologies developed by the scientists ushered in the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the cocoon crops. Still, there is a wide gap between the potential yield and the farmer's yield. The quality and productivity of cocoon crops mainly depend on the level of knowledge and adoption of advanced technologies by sericulture farmers. Knowledge has been found to have stronger impact on enhancing productivity in agriculture and its allied sectors. Technology advancement, transfer of technology, and its adoption to promote the overall development of sericulture industry. Obviously, knowledge of improved technologies plays an important role in the adoption of improved technologies and in the enhancement of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of cocoon crops. Socio-economic factors may influence the level of knowledge and, in turn, the adoption of the improved technologies. Therefore, the present investigation focused on understanding the impact of socio-economic determinants such as education, age, experience, family size, information seeking behaviour, income, etc. on the knowledge level of the sericulture farmers in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The study revealed that socio-economical parameters have a profound influence on the knowledge level of sericulture farmers. Farmers with an age group of 36–55, high school education, small family size, experience, and a high-income level had a good knowledge level.

Impact, Socio-economic factors, Knowledge, Seiculturists

Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the knowledge levels of new mulberry cultivation technologies among the three categories of sericulture farmers in Chittoor district are high among marginal, small, and large farmers. The knowledge of farmers greatly influenced the mulberry yield parameters. Experience, education, farm size, and participation in various extension activities seemed to help significantly in productivity and quality parameters. However, it can be recommended to provide more practical training and motivation towards knowledge enhancement with dedication. The present study has also shown that the socio-economic factors of farmers were found to be important in determining the adoption of recommended sericultural technologies. Hence, for the introduction of new technologies in mulberry cultivation in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, farmers’s socio-economic conditions must also be considered. The present investigation has been focused on understanding the impact of socio-economic parameters on the knowledge level of sericultural farmers in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The study indicated that socio-economic factors like experience, education, farm size, and participation in various extension activities significantly improved the knowledge level of three categories of sericulture farmers, resulting in an elevation of qualitative and quantitative yield parameters for the mulberry crop. Still, there is a gap in knowledge level in the package of practices for mulberry. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on motivating and creating awareness among sericulturists about recommended mulberry cultivation techniques. Therefore, extension activities should be designed in such a way, considering socio-economic factors, to convince sericulture farmers. Further, the extension system should be actively involved in motivating sericulture farmers by using relevant extension methods to elevate the mulberry leaf yield parameters.

A. Padmaja and G. Savithri (2023). Impact of Socio-Economic Parameters on Knowledge Levels of Mulberry Growers In Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(12): 390-395.