Socio Economic Profile of the Respondents Selected for the Special Livestock Package Scheme (Vidharbha Package) of Suicide Prone Districts of Kerala

Abstract

Package scheme (SLPS) – ‘VIDHARBHA package', implemented in the suicide prone districts of Kerala. Under the SLPS scheme, two cows per beneficiary were distributed to 500 farmers of suicide prone districts of Palakkad, Wayanad and Kasaragod in the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2007-09. A total of 176 respondents was selected as sample for the study. The data was collected by using interview schedule and the results interpreted. The data were collected by interview and were statistically analysed and results interpreted. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents had agriculture with livestock rearing as their main occupation, middle family size, contact with extension agency, with long experience in dairy farming and belonged to medium to high income group. Majority attained higher qualifications like degree and post-graduation in the post implementation stage and showed a high percentage of social empowerment (91 percent). The average herd size increased after the implementation of the scheme and most of the debt-ridden farmers in the three districts belonged to either OBC or General category and had an active participation of both the genders. Their mass media exposure was found to be medium to high and most of them were in the age group 45 to 60 years.