Abstract— Sericulture is an agrarian small-scale industry suited to marginal and small land holders, providing high returns and creating employment for family members. Studies indicate that the personal and socio-economic status of farmers significantly influences the adoption of improved sericulture practices. This study aimed to profile these characteristics among sericulture farmers in Malavalli taluk of Mandya district, Karnataka, India. Data were collected from 50 farmers across seven villages using a structured interview schedule. Results revealed that the majority of respondents were of middle age (60%), possessed primary or high school education (32%), had small family sizes (66%), and cultivated mulberry on less than one acre of land (60%). A significant proportion showed low involvement in social organizations, though limited participation was noted in milk cooperatives and mahila mandals. Conversely, a majority participated in at least one extension activity such as meetings, field visits, and training programs. The findings provide a baseline for understanding the farmer community and tailoring inclusive extension strategies to enhance technology adoption and socio-economic resilience in sericulture.
Sasvihalli et al. (Sat,) studied this question.