Relationship between selected characteristics of awardee farmers and extent of their opinion leadership

To bring about a change and to uplift Indian agricultural system, there is a need to involve “localites” in extension work who have certain extent of opinion leadership. Progressive farmers can assume the role of para-professionals to make way for “Farmer to Farmer Extension” approach, which can increase the efficiency and reduce workload of extension functionaries. Various institutions honour progressive farmers with awards, which pave the way for motivating other farmers in social system. A study was conducted in the state of Karnataka to find out the extent of opinion leadership of awardee farmers. It was found that majority of the awardee farmers had high extent of opinion leadership and most of them were frequently contacted by their fellow farmers, scientists and officials from State Department of Agriculture. This paper discusses the relationship between profile characteristics and the extent of opinion leadership of awardee farmers.