Socio-economic Characteristics and Their Correlation with the Knowledge Level of High Density Apple Growers of Kashmir Valley

The study was carried out in Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama and Shopian of the Kashmir valley owing to the majority of high density Apple growers in these districts. A total number of 200 respondents having high density apple orchards on an area of one 0.05 hectare and above were selected for the study. A well-structured interview schedule was constructed for the collection of primary data from the respondents. Data derived from the interviewees was analyzed by using suitable statistical methods. Socio-economic characteristics of the high density apple growers were studied and their relation with the Knowledge level of the respondents was found out. Out of a total of 330 high density apple growers, 200 respondents were selected for the present study through stratified random sampling procedure. Majority of the respondents were having medium knowledge level regarding the production technology in high density apple. Correlation analysis revealed that education, economic motivation, mass media exposure, scientific orientation and extension contacts had significant relationship with the knowledge level of the respondents whereas the rest of the independent variable like age, experience and landholding had non-significant relationship with the knowledge level of the respondents.