Vol. 7, Issue 9, Part G (2025)

The study was undertaken to assess the purchasing behaviour of pesticides by vegetable growers in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. The present investigation was carried out in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra with the objectives of studying the socio-economic characteristics of vegetable growers, and to analyze their relationship with the purchasing behaviour of pesticides. Total 150 vegetable growers were selected for these study. It was observed that the socio-economic characteristics were significantly correlated with the purchasing behaviour of pesticides. Data were collected through a structured interview schedule and analyzed using correlation coefficients.
The results revealed that most farmers relied on local input dealers for purchasing pesticides, with credit facility and immediate availability being the major deciding factors. Education, annual income, landholding size, and extension contact exhibited a significant positive correlation with scientific purchasing behaviour, whereas age and farming experience were negatively correlated with adoption of new pesticide brands and modern advisories. The findings highlight the need for strengthening extension services, improving farmers’ access to quality inputs, and promoting collective input procurement models to encourage rational and safe pesticide purchasing behaviour.