Relationship Between the Profile of the Banana Growers and Their Integrated Crop Management

This study investigates the relationship between the profile of banana growers in the Vadodara district and their Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices. Data were collected from 120 banana growers across selected talukas using a simple random sampling method. The study employed an ‘Ex-post-facto’ design to analyze the impact of various factors on ICM practices. The results indicate that the majority of respondents were middle-aged, had higher secondary education, and possessed over 20 years of experience in banana cultivation. They belonged to families with up to four members and held medium-sized landholdings. Extension participation was moderate, while agri-mass media exposure was also at a medium level. Respondents exhibited high scientific orientation, economic motivation, and medium to high levels of risk orientation and innovativeness. Out of fifteen independent variables analyzed, education, experience in banana cultivation, annual income, size of landholding, livestock possession, extension participation, agri mass media exposure, scientific orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, and innovativeness had a positive and significant relationship on the management of ICM practices. Conversely, age, family size, training received, and social participation did not show a significant correlation with ICM practices. These findings provide valuable insights for designing targeted interventions to enhance the management of ICM practices among banana growers in Vadodara district.