CORRELATES OF ADOPTION OF COMPOSITE FISH CULTURE PRACTICES BY FISH FARMERS OF ASSAM, INDIA

Abstract

The present study carried out during 1999 - 2000 in the purposively selected Sonitpur district of Assam focused on the factors influencing adoption of composite fish culture practices by the fish farmers. The data were gathered using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule from 60 randomly selected fish farmers. The findings revealed that majority (63 %) of fish farmers belonged to medium category of adoption. The adoption behaviour of composite fish culture practices was positively influenced by the factors like extension participation, economic motivation, cosmopoliteness, scientific orientation and knowledge of fish farmers, and negatively by their age. In view of the above findings, the study recommends that efforts should be made by extension agencies through their various programmes to highlight the economic benefits of composite fish farming to promote large-scale adoption of this technology. Study tours, exposure visits, participation in fairs and exhibitions could be the ideal methods for promoting adoption of composite fish culture.