AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE OF FARMERS TOWARDS

PADDY CULTIVATION MACHINERY IN ERODE

DISTRICT OF TAMILNADU
THESIS SUBMITTED TO BHARATHIAR UNIVERSITY
FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN COMMERCE

By

K.M. SABITHA
Under the Supervision of

Dr. N. TAMILCHELVI
Associate Professor and Head, Department of Commerce
T.S.A. Arts, Science and Tamil College, Perur, Coimbatore-641010

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

THAVATHIRU SANTHALINGA ADIGALAR ARTS, SCIENCE

AND TAMIL COLLEGE
PERUR, COIMBATORE 641 010
TAMILNADU, INDIA.

APRIL 2015

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the thesis, entitled AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE OF
FARMERS TOWARDS PADDY CULTIVATION MACHINERY IN ERODE
DISTRICT OF TAMILNADU submitted to Bharathiar University, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
COMMERCE

is

record

of

original

research

work

done

by

Mrs. K.M.SABITHA during the period 2010-2015 of her research in the Department of
COMMERCE at T.S.A. Arts, Science and Tamil College, Perur affiliated to Bharathiar
University, under my supervision and guidance and the thesis has not formed the basis for
the award of any Degree / Diploma / Associateship / Fellowship or other similar title of
any candidate of any University.

Signature of the Guide

Countersigned

Head of the Department

Principal

DECLARATION

I, K.M.SABITHA, hereby declare that the thesis, entitled, AWARENESS AND

ATTITUDE OF FARMERS TOWARDS PADDY CULTIVATION MACHINERY IN
ERODE DISTRICT OF TAMILNADU, submitted to Bharathiar University, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
COMMERCE, is record of original and independent research work done by me during
2010-2015

under

the

Supervision

Dr N. TAMILCHELVI, M.Com., M.Phil., Ph.D.,

and

Guidance

of

Associate Professor and Head,

Department of Commerce, T.S.A. Arts, Science and Tamil College, Perur, Coimbatore
and it has not formed the basis for the award of any Degree / Diploma / Associateship /
Fellowship or other similar title to any candidate in any University.

Signature of the Candidate

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I thank the Almighty God for having given me the courage and the determination
to take up a venture of this nature, despite all my difficulties.
With great reverence and high deference I express my humble gratitude to His
Holiness Perur Adheenam Thavathiru. SANTHALINGA RAMASWAMY ADIGALAR
and Perur Adheenam Ilaypattam Thavathiru.

MARUTHACHALA ADIGALAR,

Santhalingar Thirumutt, Perur, Coimbatore, for inspiring me by showering on me their

blessings and wishes to complete the thesis successfully.
My heartfelt thanks go to Dr V.MARUTHACHALAM, Principal, Thavathiru
Santhalinga Adigalar Arts, Science and Tamil College, Perur, Coimbatore for permitting
me to undergo the Research Programme.
I place on record my sincere thanks to Dr M.MANONMANI, M.A., Ph.D.,
former Principal, Thavathiru Santhalinga Adigalar Arts, Science and Tamil College,
Perur, Coimbatore, for her affection and guidance throughout my research work.
I owe my deepest gratitude to my distinguished guide and supervisor
Dr N.TAMILCHLEVI, M.Com., M.Phil., Ph.D., Associate Professor and Head, T.S.A.
Arts, Science and Tamil College, Perur. I sincerely thank her for her valuable advice,
constructive criticism and the extensive discussions I have had with her over my work.
Furthermore I would like to thank her for the support, inspiration and motivation
showered on me during the tenure of my research.
I stand cap in hand in front of all the Faculty of Department of Commerce,
Librarian and Non-teaching staff of T.S.A. Arts, Science and Tamil College, Perur, who
were highly cooperative and helpful to me to accomplish this research work.
It is my privilege to express my heartfelt thanks to management of Saratha
College of Arts & Science, Gobichettipalayam for granting me the permission to do my
research work and also for providing adequate facilities to pursue the same.

My special thanks to Dr.G.S. Kala, Principal, Saratha College of Arts &

Science, Gobichettipalayam for his words of encouragement for completing this study.
It gives me a great pleasure to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr.A. Krishna
Moorthi, B.E., Assistant Executive Engineer, Erode. Mr.A.N. Asai Thambi,
B.Sc. (Agri)., Assistant Director of Agriculture, Nambiyur. Mr.N. Venkateshwaran,
Deputy Tahsildar, TNAU, Coimbatore for their valuable help in providing various
statistical data.
My special thanks to Mrs. S. Gokila, Assistant Professor, Department of
Commerce, JKK Nataraja College of Arts & Science, Komarapalyam, guided me in an
every stage of the research work.
I would like to extend my hearty thanks to the Librarians of Gobi Arts & Science
College, Gobichettipalayam, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University, Coimbatore and Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai for permitting me to
use the library resources.
I owe my grateful acknowledgement to sample farmers who readily responded to
queries very patiently and warmly during unduly long sessions of my field work.
I am thankful to those writers whose valuable contributions are recognized in the
foot notes and in the bibliography.
I express my sincere thanks to Mr.N.VEERANNAN, M.A., M.Phil., B.Ed.,
PGDCE., P.G. Teacher in English, Devanga Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore, for
his valuable suggestions and constructive ideas in drafting this thesis.
I am extending my thanks to Mr.M.MURALI, Aryaa Infostat Technologies,
Erode, for his timely guidance and assistance in the research work, especially for the
analysis of the data and working on the statistical packages of research tools.
On a personal note, I wish to thank my father Thiru.K.K.Moorthi, my mother
Tmt.M. Vedhampal, my father-in-law Thiru. K.K. Mohan Sundaram, my

mother-in-law Tmt.K.M.Rathinam, My brother-in-law Mr.S.Palaniswamy and

Mr.

K.M.

Kalaiselvan,

my

sister

Mrs.K.M.Deepa

and

my

sister-in-law

Mrs.A.Gowthami and my sons V.S.Hariprawin and P.Gokulbarani for their

unconditional love, encouragement and sacrifice without which this report could have
hardly been completed.

I am ever indebted to my husband Mr. K.M. Venkatesuvaran, for his continuous

support in the successful completion of my research work.
Above all, I am grateful to the Almighty for the showers of blessings and grace.

K.M.SABITHA

CONTENTS

CHAPTE
R

TITLE

PAGE
NO

Acknowledgement
List of Tables
List of Charts
Abbreviations
I

INTRODUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE STUDY

II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
FARM MECHANIZATION IN INDIA AND PROFILE
OF ERODE DISTRICT

19

III

44

IV

FARMERS LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND ITS

INFLUENCE ON THE PADDY CULTIVATION
MACHINERY

59

IMPACT ON PADDY CULTIVATION MACHINERY

AND LEVEL OF SATISFACTION TOWARDS PADDY
CULTIVATION

146

VI

PROBLEMS FACED BY THE PADDY CULTIVATORS

224

VII

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, SUGGESTION AND

CONCLUSION

227

BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE
NO.

TITLE

PAGE
NO.

4.1

Age of the farmers

60

4.2

Gender of the farmers

62

4.3

Educational status of the farmers

62

4.4

Marital status of the farmers

64

4.5

Family size of the farmers

64

4.6

Family status of the farmers

66

4.7

Nature of occupation of the farmers

67

4.8

Family annual income of the farmers

67

4.9

Number of acres land the farmers hold

69

4.10

The number of farmers who own houses

71

4.11

Visiting the websites of farm machinery companies

71

4.12

Awareness about SRI technique (System of Rice

Intensification)

72

4.13

Farmers experience in agriculture field

73

4.14

Farmers experience in paddy cultivation

73

4.15

Paddy cultivation has become more profitable with the

introduction of the agricultural machinery

75

4.16

Type of paddy produced

77

4.17

Practices regarding the paddy cultivation

79

4.18

Availing crop loan from government department

79

4.19

Sources of financing of paddy cultivation

81

4.20

Quantity of paddy produced per year

82

4.21

Factors influenced to purchase the paddy cultivation

machinery
Level of participation in purchase of paddy cultivation
machinery

4.22
4.23

Level of support from family members in paddy cultivation

84
85
87

TABLE
NO.

TITLE

PAGE
NO.

4.24

Common assets type of assets

88

4.25

Paddy cultivation machinery possessed by the respondents

90

4.26

Type of machinery purchased

92

4.27

Opinion about the cost of the machinery

92

4.28

Mode of purchase of paddy cultivation machinery

94

4.29

Sources of credit purchase

96

4.30

Level of awareness

97

4.31

Awareness about the paddy cultivation machinery

98

4.32

Sources of awareness about the paddy cultivation machinery

100

4.33

Awareness towards land preparation equipment

101

4.34

Awareness towards seed sowing row seeder

103

4.35

Awareness towards transplanting machinery

103

4.36

Awareness towards plant protection & weeding equipment

104

4.37

Awareness towards harvesting

105

4.38
4.39

Reasons for non-awareness and non-utilization of the

machinery
Awareness about the governmental & non-governmental
agencies offering promotional training about the farm
machinery

4.40

Age of the respondents and level of awareness

111

4.41

Gender of the respondents and level of awareness

112

4.42

Educational status of the respondents and level of awareness

113

4.43

Marital status of the respondents and level of awareness

114

4.44

Family size of the respondents and level of awareness

114

4.45

Family status of the respondents and level of awareness

115

4.46

Nature of occupation of the respondents and level of

awareness
Family annual income of the respondents and level of
awareness

4.47
4.48

Experience in agriculture field and level of awareness

106
109

116
117
118

TABLE
NO.

TITLE

PAGE
NO.

4.49

Experience in paddy cultivation and level of awareness

119

4.50

Type of paddy produced and level of awareness

120

4.51

Quantity of paddy produced and level of awareness

121

4.52

Type of machinery purchased and level of awareness

122

4.53

Mode of purchase and level of awareness

123

4.54

Degree of relationship between selected independent variables

and level of awareness
Factors contributing to farmers awareness Multiple
Regression Analysis

4.55

124
125

4.56

Level of influence on purchase of paddy cultivation machinery

127

4.57

Age of the respondents and level of influence

128

4.58

Gender of the respondents and level of influence

129

4.59

Educational status of the respondents and level of influence

130

4.60

Marital status of the respondents and level of influence

131

4.61

Family size of the respondents and level of influence

131

4.62

Family status of the respondents and level of influence

132

4.63

Nature of occupation of the respondents and level of influence

133

4.64

Family annual income of the respondents and level of

influence

134

4.65

Experience in agriculture field and level of influence

135

4.66

Experience in paddy cultivation and level of influence

136

4.67

Type of paddy produced and level of influence

137

4.68

Quantity of paddy produced and level of influence

138

4.69

Type of machinery purchased and level of influence

139

4.70

Mode of purchase and level of influence

139

4.71

Degree of relationship between selected independent variables

and level of influence
Factors contributing to farmers influence Multiple
Regression Analysis

4.72
4.73

Reasons for producing the paddy

140
142
143

TABLE
NO.

TITLE

PAGE
NO.

Reasons for preferring the credit source

144

5.1

Level of impact

147

5.2

Age and impact on paddy cultivation machinery

(Two-way table)
Age and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Chi-square test)
Gender and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Two-way table)
Gender and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Chi-square test)
Educational status and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Two-way table)
Educational status and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Chi-square test)
Marital status and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Two-way table)
Marital status and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Chi-square test)
Family size and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Two-way table)
Family size and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Chi-square test)
Family status and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Two-way table)
Family status and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Chi-square test)
Nature of occupation and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Two-way table)
Nature of occupation and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Chi-square test)
Family annual income and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Two-way table)
Family annual income and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Chi-square test)
Experience in agriculture field and impact on paddy
cultivation machinery (Two-way table)

4.74

5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
5.14
5.15
5.16
5.17
5.18

148
149
150
151
151
152
153
154
155
156
156
157
158
159
160
161
162

TABLE
NO.
5.19
5.20
5.21
5.22
5.23
5.24
5.25
5.26
5.27
5.28
5.29
5.30
5.31

TITLE
Experience in agriculture field and impact on paddy
cultivation machinery (Chi-square test)
Experience in paddy cultivation and impact on paddy
cultivation machinery (Two-way table)
Experience in paddy cultivation and impact on paddy
cultivation machinery (Chi-square test)
Type of paddy produced and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Two-way table)
Type of paddy produced and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Chi-square test)
Quantity of paddy produced and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Two-way table)
Quantity of paddy produced and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Chi-square test)
Type of machinery purchased and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Two-way table)
Type of machinery purchased and impact on paddy cultivation
machinery (Chi-square test)
Mode of purchase and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Two-way table)
Mode of purchase and impact on paddy cultivation machinery
(Chi-square test)
Degree of relationship between selected independent variables
and level of impact
Factors contributing with farmers impact Multiple
Regression Analysis

PAGE
NO.
163
164
165
166
167
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174

5.32

Level of satisfaction

176

5.33

Age and level of satisfaction (Two-way table)

177

5.34

Age and level of satisfaction (Chi-square test)

178

5.35

Gender and level of satisfaction (Two-way table)

179

5.36

Gender and level of satisfaction (Chi-square test)

180

5.37

Educational status and level of satisfaction (Two-way table)

180

5.38

Educational status and level of satisfaction (Chi-square test)

181

5.39

Marital status and level of satisfaction (Two-way table)

182

TABLE
NO.

TITLE

PAGE
NO.

5.40

Marital status and level of satisfaction (Chi-square test)

183

5.41

Family size and level of satisfaction (Two-way table)

184

5.42

Family size and level of satisfaction (Chi-square test)

185

5.43

Family status and level of satisfaction (Two-way table)

185

5.44

Family status and level of satisfaction (Chi-square test)

186

5.45

Nature of occupation and level of satisfaction (Two-way table)

187

5.46

Nature of occupation and level of satisfaction (Chi-square test)

188

5.47

Family annual income and level of satisfaction (Two-way

table)
Family annual income and level of satisfaction (Chi-square
test)
Experience in agriculture field and level of satisfaction
(Two-way table)
Experience in agriculture field and level of satisfaction
(Chi-square test)
Experience in paddy cultivation and level of satisfaction
(Two-way table)
Experience in paddy cultivation and level of satisfaction
(Chi-square test)
Type of paddy produced and level of satisfaction
(Two-way table)
Type of paddy produced and level of satisfaction
(Chi-square test)
Quantity of paddy produced and level of satisfaction
(Two-way table)
Quantity of paddy produced and level of satisfaction
(Chi-square test)
Type of machinery purchased and level of satisfaction
(Two-way table)
Type of machinery purchased and level of satisfaction
(Chi-square test)

5.48
5.49
5.50
5.51
5.52
5.53
5.54
5.55
5.56
5.57
5.58

189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200

5.59

Mode of purchase and level of satisfaction (Two-way table)

200

5.60

Mode of purchase and level of satisfaction (Chi-square test)

201

TABLE
NO.

TITLE

PAGE
NO.

5.61

Communalities before removal of low loading variables

203

5.62

Kmo and bartletts test

203

5.63

Total variance explained

205

5.64

Rotated component matrix

208

5.65

Effect and relative importance of the individual dimensions of

farmers satisfaction Multiple Regression Analysis

211

5.66

Manifest variables and latent variables

214

5.67

Model fit summary

217

5.68

Regression weights

219

6.1

Problems faced by the farmers who owned paddy cultivation

machinery

224

6.2

Problems of hiring paddy cultivation machinery by the farmers

226

LIST OF CHARTS

CHAR
T NO.

TITLE

PAGE
NO.

4.1

Age of the farmers

61

4.2

Gender of the farmers

63

4.3

Educational status of the farmers

63

4.4

Marital status of the farmers

65

4.5

Family size of the farmers

65

4.6

Nature of occupation of the farmers

68

4.7

Family annual income of the farmers

68

4.8

Number of acres land the farmers hold

70

4.9

Farmers experience in agriculture field

74

4.10

Farmers experience in paddy cultivation

74

4.11

Paddy cultivation has become more profitable with the

introduction of the agricultural machinery

76

4.12

Type of paddy produced

78

4.13

Availing crop loan from government department

80

4.14

Quantity of paddy produced per year

83

4.15

Level of participation in purchase of paddy cultivation

machinery

86

4.16

Common needs type of assets

89

4.17

Paddy cultivation machinery possessed by the respondents

91

4.18

Type of machinery purchased

93

4.19

Opinion about the cost of the machinery

93

4.20

Mode of purchase of paddy cultivation machinery

95

4.21

Awareness about the paddy cultivation machinery

99

4.22

Reasons for non-awareness and non-utilization of the

machinery

107

ABBREVIATIONS
ANOVA

Analysis of Variance

SEM

Structural Equation Model

IIT

Indian Institute of Technology

ICAR

Indian Council for Agricultural Research

TAFE

Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited

ABSL

Animal Biosafety Level

PTO

Paid Time Off

REFPI

Research and Extension in Farm Power Issues

DFID

Department for International Development

OF

Organic Farming

BRRI

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute

FELCRA

Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority

GATOR-GCMOM

Gas, Aerosol, Transport, Radiation, General Circulation,

Mesoscale, and Ocean Model.

ICTs

International Centre for Theoretical Sciences

SRI

System of Rice Intensification

MOAC

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

SEZ

Special economic zone

FTLRP

Fast Track Land Reform Programme

IRRI

International Rice Research Institute

FFS

Farmers Field Schools

MGNREGs

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee

Scheme

WTO

World Trade Organization

REFPI

Research and Extension in Farm Power Issues

TNAU

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University