CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
An appropriate design of the study or research methodology is very important for
systematic analysis of the research problem and to arrive at meaningful conclusions. Based
upon review of earlier studies conducted and the objectives setforth for the present study, the
research methods and procedures were formulated for this study. The methodology adopted is
grouped and presented in the following subheads:
3.1. Locale of research
3.2. Selection of respondents
3.3. Research design of the study
3.4. Operationalisation and measurement of variables
3.5 Method of data collection
3.6. Statistical tools used
3.1. Locale of research
3.1.1. Selection of district
The objective of the study necessitates the selection of a district where Biofertilizers
and Biocontrol agents would be used under farming areas. Trichy district was selected
purposively for the study. Other rationale for selecting the Trichy district were
a. Familiarity in the study area
b. Easy accessibility of the study area
c. Enormous scope for improving acre under Agricultural crops
3.1.2. Selection of Taluk
Among nine Taluks in Trichy District, lalgudi and srirangam Taluks was selected
purposively for the study because biofertilizers and biocontrol agents was adapted in most of
the areas effectively and also due to the soil type present in these taluks.
3.1.3. Selection of blocks
Lalgudi block was purposively selected for study of farmers growing crops using
biofertilizers and biocontrol agents , and mainly due to the fertile soil and Manikandam Block
was selected for study of farmers growing Banana under inorganic farming condition.

Lalgudi block and Manikandam Blockwere selected for comparative study of farmers who
were adapted biofertilizers and biocontrol agents.
3.1.4. Selection of village
Pachampettai valaivu , Thirumangalam , Nagar , villages from Lalgudi block and
Navalur kuttapattu , poongudi , villages from Manikandam block were selected for the study.

3.1.5. Description of the study area

Any social science research report has to give an idea about the study area or the
situation under which the investigation was carried out. It will give a comprehensive idea to
understand and relate the findings to similar situations. Thus the description of the study area
is briefed here under.
Geographical Location of the District
Tiruchirapalli district lies at the heart of Tamil Nadu. The district has an area of 4,404
square kilometers. It is bounded in the north by Salem district, in the northwest by Namakkal
district, in the northeast by Perambalur district and Ariyalur district, in the east by Thanjavur
District, in the southeast by Pudukkottai district, in the south by Madurai district and
Sivagangai district, in the southwest by Dindigul district and, in the west by Karur district.
Kaveri river flows through the length of the district and is the principal source of irrigation
and water supply.
Tiruchirappalli district is located at the Central part of Tamil Nadu surrounded by
Perambalur district in the north, Pudukkotai district in the south, Karur and Dindigul districts
in the West and Thanjavur district in the east. It lies between 10 o 10 and 11o 20 of the
Northern latitudes and 78o 10 and 79o 0' of Eastern longitudes in the centre part of the Tamil
Nadu.
Meteorological Information
The variation of temperature through out the year exhibits a moderate climatic
condition in the district. The extreme climatic condition i.e. very hot during summer and very
cold during winter seasons during March to June and November to January prevail in the
district.
The region has four main seasons
1. Dry weather January to March

2. Hot weather April and May

3. South West Monsoon June to September, and
4. North East Monsoon October to December
Generally the region has a long spell of hot climate with a short spell of rainy season and
winter, which is mild one.
Temperature
Minimum temperature prevailing is 17C and maximum temperature is 41C.
Temperature is low during the month of January and the lowest average mean daily
temperature is 21C.
Soil type
Loamy, Clayey and sandy alluvial soil are the soil types found in the district.
Majority of the areas is covered with Loamy soil. The major soil types encountered in the
district are black cotton soils, red sandy to loamy soils and alluvial soils. A thin layer of red
sandy soils overlies the western and southern parts of the district. Alluvial soils of
considerable thickness occur in the central part, particularly in Tiruchchirappalli, Kulithalai,
Musiri and Lalgudi taluks. Black cotton soils are observed in the northern part., whereas red
loamy soils occur in the hilly regions.
Rainfall
The normal annual rainfall over the district varies from about 730 mm to about 900
mm. It is the minimum around Musiri (731.9 mm) in the western part. It
gradually increases towards north, east and south and reaches a maximum
around Manapparai (908.5 mm)
The district enjoys a tropical climate. The period from April to June is generally hot
and dry. The weather is pleasant during the period from November to
January. Usually mornings are more humid than afternoons. The relative
humidity varies between 50 and 85% in the mornings while in the afternoon it
varies between 70 and 92%.
Season
Winter
Summer
South west monsoon
North west monsoon
Grant total

Rainfall (mm)
21.6
126.30
263.81
438.51
850.32

Humidity
Mean relative humidity is high through out the year, and varies from 62 % in MayJuly to 82 % in OctoberDecember, June is recorded with lowest relative humidity.
Irrigation source :
The presence of canal irrigation is found in all blocks of Tiruchirappalli with the
exception of Thuraiyur, Marungapuri, and Thathaiyangarenpet blocks. There is no incidence
of drought and cyclone registered in district with the exception of flood in 1989 90 to 199293 and in 1996.
Demographic details:
Tiruchirappalli district is one of the important districts in Tamil Nadu and had a
population of 25. lakhs as per 2001 census. In terms of urbanisation level, according to the
composition of urban and rural population, Tiruchirappalli district ranked 10 th among the
other districts in Tamil Nadu. The population of Tiruchirappalli district which was 10,72,756
in 1951, increased to 24,18,366 persons in 2001. The average decadal growth rate of
population was 21.0 per cent between 1951 and 1991. Among the taluks, the maximum
population was concentrated in the Tiruchirappalli taluk, which accounted for 45 per cent to
the total population of the district.
Land Utilisation
The total geographical area of Tiruchirappalli district is 4,40,383 hectares, of which
net sown area occupied 1,78,076 hectares and this accounted for 40 per cent of the total area
in the district. Area under not available for cultivation accounted for 21 per cent of the total
land in the district, i.e. 93,492 hectares Nearly 26 per cent of the area were classified under
fallow lands and 6 per cent of the lands was under forest coverage. The remaining lands were
classified under groves and orchards category.

Agriculture and Horticulture

Basically, Tiruchirappalli district is agriculturally rich due to the availability of fertile
lands and presence of perennial rivers. Cauvery with numerous tributaries forms the basis of
sustained paddy cultivation on an extensive scale throughout the year. Cereals, Pulses and Oil

Seeds are the major crops cultivated in the district (Table 2.3) and majority of the area is used
for the production of cereals and pulses. In terms of productivity, paddy had increased from
1,887 kg/ha. in 1981 to 4,133 kg/ha. in 1996, due to better utilisation of seeds, improved
methods of cultivation, intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides. The production of paddy
had also decreased from 2,70,907 tonnes in 1981 to 236,740 tonnes in 2005-06.
Cropping pattern -2006-07
Wetland :
1) Paddy - Paddy - Pulses
2) Paddy - Paddy - Gingelly
3) Sugarcane with Pulses as intercrop
4) Banana with Pulses as inter crop
Gardenland :
1) Paddy - Paddy Groundnut with Pulses as Mixed crop
2) Paddy - Paddy - Gingelly
3) Paddy - Paddy - Ragi / Cumbu / Pulse
4) Paddy - Paddy - Vegetables
5) Sugarcane with pulses as intercrop
6) Banana with pulses as intercrop
Dryland :
1) Groundnut - Cholam- Pulses mixed crop
2) Groundnut -Redgram-Pulses - Gingelly as second crop.
3) Groundnut - Ragi / Horsegram
4) Minor Millets - Horsegram
5) Cotton with pulses as intercrop.
6) Cholam with Mochai as intercrop.

Fertilizer consumption pattern

In Trichy District the consumption of Chemical fertilizers (i.e. Nitrogen,
Phosphate and potash) was about 109194.2 tonnes of which Nitrogen accounts 46564.86
tonnes, the consumption of phosphate was 25174.75 tonnes and Potash accounts 37454.57

tonnes The consumption of chemical fertilizers is high (i.e., 109194.2 tonnes) when compare
to Bio-fertilizers (274800Kgs) in 1995 96, though the use of biofertilizers had shown a
steady increase.
An analysis of the trend utilisation of fertilizers, pesticides and bio fertilizers
suggest that the consumption of fertilizers had shown fluctuations, though not significant,
between 1981 and 2005-06. However, use of chemical pesticides registered a continuously
declining trend, while that of bio fertilizers is showing an upward trend.
3.2. Selection of respondents
Two blocks were selected for farmers growing crops under organic farming condition
using biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. In each block 30 respondents were selected which
contributed for 60 respondents in total.In case of farmers growing Banana under fertile soil
30

were selected. .In case of farmers growing Banana under alkali soil 30

were

selected.Totally 60 respondents growing under fertile and saline soils were selected.
3.3. Research design of the study
A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data
in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in
procedure, according to Kerlinger (1978).
For this study expost-facto research design was followed. According to Kerlinger
(1968) expost-facto research is a systematic empirical enquiry in which the scientists do not
have direct control of influencing (independent) variables because their manifestations have
already occurred or because they are inherently not manipulable influence about relations
among variables are made, without direct intervention but from concomitant variation of
independent (influencing) and dependent (consequent) variables.
Since the researcher has to study the effect of the phenomenon after its occurrence
instead of creating a treatment, this method was used.
3.4. Operationalisation and measurement of variables
The value of the report largely depends upon the different variables taken into
consideration for the study. The critical analysis, meaningful interpretation and conclusion
can be brought out when justifiable variables are selected and appropriate measurement of the
variables followed.

By reviewing various relevant literature and discussion with extension scientists,

chairman and members of the advisory committee, 23 variables were selected for the study.
They have been operationalised and explained as follows:
Variables under study
S.No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Variables

Measurement
Census of India (2001)

Age
Educational status
Occupational status
Farming experience
Farm size
Source of information
Economic motivation
Scientific orientation
Risk orientation
Awareness
Knowledge assessment
Adaptability
Constrains
Suggestions

3.4.1. Age
It refers to the chronological age of the respondent at the time of enquiry.
One score was given for every completed year. The scoring procedure based on Census of
India (2001) was followed which is given below.

S. No.

Category

Scores

Young (Upto 35 years)

Middle (36 45 years)

Old

(Above 45 years)

3.4.2. Educational status

It referred to the educational status of the respondents. The sub-items were illiterate,
functionally literate, primary education, middle education, secondary education and collegiate
education. Illiterate was an individual who did not know how to read and write. Functionally
literate was the one who could read and write. Primary education referred formal schooling
up to fifth standard. Middle school education referred to the education from sixth to eight.
Secondary

education

means

the

education

from

ninth

to plus two level. Collegiate education referred to degree / diploma after schooling.
The scoring procedure developed by Mansingh (1993) was followed.
S.No

Category

Scores

1.

Illiterate

2.

Functionally literate

3.

Primary education

4.

Middle education

5.

Secondary education

6.

Collegiate education

3.4.3occpational status:
Occupational status was operationalised as any activity in which a person regularly engaged
to achieve a standardized utilization award. Considering the variation in the primary and
secondary occupation, the respondents were categorized in to three categories. Higher score
was given for those who bestow their attention more on farming and lesser to those who
concentrate on other occupations. The scoring procedure used by Shanthasheela (2001) was
adopted in this study.
S. No.

Occupation

Scores

1.

Farming alone

2.

Farming + Business

3.

Farming + Service

3.4.4. Farming Experience

It was operationalised as the number of completed years of experience in farming by a
respondent. The scoring procedure followed by Krishna kumar (2002) was used in this study,
which is given as follows:

S. No.

Years of experience

Score

Upto 10 years

Above 10 and below 20 years

Above 20 years

3.4.5. Farm Size

It referred to the area of land in terms of acres the farmer cultivated at the time of
enquiry. Since, garden land was predominant in the study area, the respondents were
classified as marginal,small and big farmers based on the extent of land they cultivated. For
this purpose, the Tamil Nadu Government classification of land ownership (2001) was
followed.

S. No.

Farmer types

Score

Marginal farmer (Up to 1 acre)

Small farmer

Medium farmer (> 2 acres)

(>1 to 2 acres)

Source of information
Now-a-days media plays an important role in disseminating farm technologies.
Agricultural information is spread through magazines, newspapers, radio and television.
Apart from mass media farmers will get information from fellow farmers, friends, relatives,
neighbours, research scientist, dealers, agri department and seed agency.
3.4.6. Economic motivation
It was operationalised as the degree to which a farmer was oriented to economic
motivation of the farmer in farming.The scale consisted of six statements, of which the
second one was negative and the rest were positive statements. The scoring was done as
given under:

Statement

Agree

Undecided

Disagree

Positive statement

Negative statement

The scores obtained for each statement were summed up to get an individual respondents
economic motivation score. The possible range of score in this scale was from 6 to18. Maximum
score would reveal high economic orientation, while the minimum score would indicate low
economic motivation. Based on the total score obtained, the respondents were classified into low,
medium and high by using mean and Standard Deviation.
3.4.7. scientific orientation
It was operationalised as the degree to which a farmer was oriented to the use of
scientific methods in decision making in farming. The scientific orientation scale developed
by Supe (1969) was used in this study. The scale consisted of six statements, of which the
second one was negative and the rest were positive statements. The scoring was done as
given under:

Statement

Agree

Undecided

Disagree

Positive statement

Negative statement

Method of Data collection:

The scores obtained for each statement were summed up to get an individual respondents
scientific orientation score. The possible range of score in this scale was from 6 to18. Maximum
score would reveal high scientific orientation, while the minimum score would indicate low
scientific orientation. Based on the total score obtained, the respondents were classified into low,
medium and high by using mean and Standard Deviation.
Interview method of data collection was followed as the reliability of data obtained
could be more in this method. To apply the method of interview, the researcher should first
have an interview schedule. Hence an interview schedule was prepared.
Schedule construction
Considering the objectives and the variables selected for the study, a comprehensively
structured interview schedule covering all aspects of thematic area was prepared. The items

included in the interview schedule were structured questions and objective type questions
which were suitable to all categories of respondents. The most relevant, unambiguous and
practical questions were included in the schedule, duly avoiding irrelevant items.
The interview schedule was designed into 5 parts. Part I contained general facts and
information related to the characteristics of the respondents, Part II had awareness

questions

and part III dealt with the knowledge level of the respondents.Part IV deals about the
adaptability ad applicability of biofertilizers ad biocontrol agents .Part V deals about the
constraints and suggestions given by the respondents.
Pre-testing
Before giving a final shape to the interview schedule, the schedule was pre-tested in a
non-sample village. Based on the experiences gained in pre-testing, necessary modifications
were made in the schedule.

The finalized interview schedule has been presented in

Appendix IV.
3.6. Statistical tools used
For analyzing the data collected during the investigation, the following statistical
techniques were used in this study.
3.6.1. Arithmetic mean
3.6.2. Percentage analysis
3.6.3. Mean and Standard deviation
3.6.4. Independent t test
3.6.5. Correlation Matrix
3.6.6. Multiple regression analysis
3.6.1. Arithmetic mean
Arithmetic mean is the quotient that results when all items in the series is divided by
the number of items (N).

3.6.2. Percentage analysis

Percentage analysis was used in descriptive analysis for making simple comparisons.
For calculating percentages, the frequency of the particular cell was multiplied by 100 and
divided by the total number of respondents. Percentage was corrected to two decimal places.
3.6.3. Mean and Standard deviation
This was used to classify the characteristics of farmers into three categories namely
low, medium and high. The procedure adopted is as follows,
Mean + 1 SD

= High

Between Mean SD

= Medium

Mean 1 SD

= Low

3.6.4. Independent t test

This test was employed to test the significance of the difference between Banana
grown under organic and inorganic farming conditions.
3.6.5. Correlation Matrix
A Correlation matrix describes correlation among M variables. It is a square
symmetrical MxM matrix with the (ij)th element equal to the correlation coefficient r_ij
between the (i)th and the (j)th variable. The diagonal elements (correlations of variables with
themselves) are always equal to 1.00.
3.6.6. Multiple regression analysis
To find out the functional relationship between dependent and independent variables
multiple regression anlaysis was worked out. The simple correlation measured only the
interdependence and gives no idea of how far one is dependent on the other. The multiple
regression analysis helps to find out the extent of contribution of all independent variable.
The regression co-efficient measures the rate of change of Y. Hence the linear multiple
regression was selected as one of the statistical tools for analysis. The following is the general
form of multiple regressions.
Y = a + b1 X1 + b2 X2 + b3 X3 + .. bn Xn

Where
Y = Expected value of dependent variable

A = Intercept
X1 to X n = Independent variables
b1 to bn are the partial regression co-efficient.