Buying Behavior of The Farmers Regarding Agrochemicals Use on Cotton Crop in Punjab

Agrochemical refers to the broad range of pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Use of agrochemicals in India is increasing at the rate of two to five per cent per annum and is about three per cent of total pesticides used in the world. Heavy reliance of agriculture on synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides is having critical effects on public health and environment. Consumer buying behaviour is a process of selecting, purchasing and disposing of goods and services according to the needs of the consumers. This study was designed to analyse the buying behavior of the farmers regarding agrochemicals used on cotton crop in Punjab. A total of 100 cotton farmers were randomly selected from Bathinda district. The study revealed that most of the respondents were seeking information from their peer group, nearly 43 per cent were consulting the private dealers for getting the information about agrochemicals whereas 18 per cent of the respondents were going to extension specialists for seeking the information regarding agrochemicals. Most of the cotton farmers were purchasing the fertilizers from cooperative societies whereas for purchasing pesticides most of them prefers to go to private dealers. Brand of the product was most important factor considered by the farmers while purchasing agrochemicals followed by peer group advice, prior experience and product features whereas price of the product was given least importance by the farmers while purchasing the agrochemicals.