Profile characteristics of turmeric farmers in Mahabubabad district of Telangana state, India

Introduction

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is known as "Indian Saffron" and is referred to as the "Golden Spice of India". India primarily grows it during the kharif season. The "Golden spice" is a necessary spice that has been made in India since ancient times. It is known to Indian people as "The land of spices and flavours" (Gayathri et al.,2025) [3] . Turmeric is an important commercial crop of tropical and sub-tropical regions and has long been recognised for culinary, therapeutic and industrial significance. The increasing demand for natural health products and processed for has further enhanced the economic importance of turmeric cultivation in recent times (Spice board 2023) [9] . India occupies a dominant position in the global turmeric sector in terms of area, production, consumption and export. The crop is grown across diverse agro-ecological regions, with major production concentrated in states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha (NHB, 2024) [8] . In Telangana, favourable climatic conditions, expanding market opportunities and institutional support have encouraged farmers to adopt turmeric as a remunerative enterprise under diversified farming systems (Government of Telangana, 2023) [4] . India occupies a dominant position in the global turmeric sector in terms of area, production, consumption and export. The crop is grown across diverse agro-ecological regions, with major production concentrated in states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha (NHB, 2024) [8] . In Telangana, favourable climatic conditions, expanding market opportunities and institutional support have encouraged farmers to adopt turmeric as a remunerative enterprise under diversified farming systems (Government of Telangana, 2023) [4] . Within the state, turmeric cultivation is traditionally confined to a few major districts; however, its expansion into nontraditional areas such as Mahabubabad has been observed in recent years.

Farmers are increasingly shifting towards high-value horticultural crops in response to price incentives, income instability in field crops and the need for better livelihood security. The promotion of horticulture and spice crops has been recognized as an important strategy for enhancing farm profitability and agricultural growth (Birthal et al., 2015) [1] . The success of any crop enterprise depends not only on improved technologies but also on the characteristics of the farming community. Farmers' personal, socio-economic and psychological attributes influence their decision-making behaviour, resource use efficiency and level of adoption of recommended practices. Variables such as age, education, landholding, farming experience, income, social participation, extension contact, risk orientation and market exposure play a crucial role in shaping technology adoption and farm performance (Narendar et al., 2025) [7] . India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric, contributing nearly 75-80 per cent of the world's total production. The crop is cultivated across diverse agro-climatic regions of the country, with major producing states including Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Turmeric plays a significant role in the spice economy of India and serves as an important source of income for small and marginal farmers (NHB, 2024; Spices Board, 2023) [8,9] . In Telangana, turmeric has emerged as one of the major commercial spice crops due to favourable soil and climatic conditions, well-established markets and government support for horticultural diversification. The crop is mainly cultivated in districts such as Nizamabad, Jagtial, Nirmal, Warangal and adjoining regions. Expansion of turmeric cultivation in the state is largely driven by its higher profitability compared to traditional field crops and its potential to enhance farm income and livelihood security (Government of Telangana, 2023) [4] . Despite the growing importance of turmeric cultivation in emerging areas, systematic information on the socio-economic and communication profile of turmeric growers in Mahabubabad district is limited. Understanding the background characteristics of farmers in this region is essential for identifying existing gaps and constraints, and for formulating appropriate interventions to improve productivity, profitability and sustainability. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to analyse the profile characteristics of turmeric farmers in Mahabubabad district of Telangana state.

Objectives of the study

To Study profile characteristics of farmers of Turmeric farmers in Mahabubabd district.

Scope of the study

The study was carried out to examine the profile characteristics of turmeric growers in Mahabubabad district of Telangana under an ex-post facto research framework. It aimed to analyse the personal, socio-economic and psychological attributes of farmers and their association with the level of involvement in turmeric cultivation. The investigation intends to document the existing socio-economic conditions and behavioural tendencies of growers in the region. The information generated will be useful for researchers, planners and extension functionaries to understand field-level realities. The findings may assist in identifying critical limitations and in developing locationspecific training programmes, improved extension approaches and appropriate interventions for enhancing productivity, income and long-term sustainability of turmeric farming.

Research Methodology 2.1. Research Design

The present investigation was carried out using an ex-post facto research design along with an exploratory approach. This design was considered suitable because the variables related to farmers' characteristics and their farming situation already existed and could not be manipulated by the researcher. The study aimed to analyse the existing conditions and relationships among selected variables as they naturally occurred in the field.

Sampling Design 2.2.1. Study area

The study was conducted in Mahabubabad district of Telangana state. The district was purposively selected due to the increasing cultivation of turmeric and its growing importance as a commercial crop in the region. The researcher's familiarity with the local area and proficiency in the regional language helped in establishing better communication with respondents, which facilitated accurate data collection and a more detailed understanding of the field situation.

Selection District

The study area, Mahabubabad district of Telangana state, was purposively chosen since the investigator is associated with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Malyal, situated in the district, enabling better field accessibility and coordination during data collection.

Selection of Mandals

Among the sixteen mandals in Mahabubabad district, two mandals, namely Kesamudram and Neelikkuduru, were purposively selected based on their larger area under turmeric cultivation.

Selection of villages and respondents

Each Mandal two villages, each village thirty farmers thus a total of 120 farmers sleeted for the study.

Data and analytical procedures

Primary data were collected using a pre-structured interview schedule containing open-ended items to obtain information on the profile characteristics of turmeric farmers. The responses obtained from the respondents were carefully compiled, classified, and coded for analysis. The data were then summarized and interpreted using appropriate statistical tools such as frequency and percentage distribution.

Results and Discussion

Profile of the selected Turmeric cultivated farmers 3.1.1 Age

Table clearly shows that the majority (65.00%) turmeric farmers were belonged to middle age followed by young (18.34%) and old (16.66%) age. This indicates that middle aged farmers actively involved in turmeric cultivation due to their high farming experience and decision-making ability followed by young farmers less engaged in rational crops and explore alternative occupations or migration opportunities. This result was consistent with what Gangadhar (2009) [2] found. The turmeric farmers low level of formal education, Limited educational access may affect their ability to access, interpret, and adopt modern farming technologies, scientific cultivation practices, and market information effectively. Small proportion of farmers with higher educational qualifications indicates gradual shift towards educator's involvement agriculture. Strengthen extension service, training programmes and field demonstrations could help farmers with lower education levels improve their knowledge base and enhance productivity.

Mass media exposure

Table 3 showed that the majority of farmers who grew turmeric (55.83%) had a medium degree of mass media exposure, followed by high (31.66%) and low (12.51%), in that order. Medium mass media exposure plays a crucial role in disseminating knowledge on improved cultivation practices, pest management, and market trends. The moderate level of exposure suggests that while farmers are aware of mass media and utilization. (Gayathri et al., 2025) [3] .

Extension contact

The majority of farmers (50.00%) reported medium levels of extension contact, followed by high (28.34%) and low (21.66%), as shown in table 4. These results are consistent with those of Maratha et al. (2017) [6] . Turmeric farmers have a medium level of extension contact to high level, which suggests that there is room for better institutional assistance and connection with progressive farmers, input merchants, and agricultural officers. Farmers with low extension contact might face difficulties accessing timely guidance related to pest management, seed selection, and marketing.

Innovativeness

Table 5 showed that the majority of farmers (45.00%) had low levels of innovation, followed by medium levels (35.0%) and low levels (20.00%). Almost half of farmers prefer conventional methods and wait for results before experimenting with new technology or practices. This group often needs strong evidence, peer examples, and repeated extension efforts before adopting innovations and highly innovative farmers can be used as "lead" or "progressive" farmers for front-line demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer training, and social proof, helping to pull medium and low categories toward higher innovativeness

Social participation

Table 6 revealed that the majority of farmers (48.34%) had a medium degree of social participation, followed by high (35.00%) and low (16.66%), in that order. Although they participate in certain community groups (such as cooperatives, SHGs, farmer clubs, or village meetings), the majority of farmers with medium social participation (48.34%) say they are not actively involved or in leadership positions. This group is accessible for collective activities but may still need motivation and facilitation to become more actively. Efforts such as home visits, inclusive meeting timings, and special awareness campaigns are needed to bring low-participation farmers into mainstream organizations, ensuring that extension services reach all categories. These farmers typically join farmer clubs, self-help groups (SHGs), Panchayat meetings, or agricultural cooperatives to share knowledge and access benefits. Similarly, medium levels of extension contact and economic orientation signify that farmers have some exposure to advisory services and a fair motivation toward improving their economic condition, yet there remains scope to intensify their interaction with extension agencies and to promote entrepreneurial attitudes.

The study clearly indicates that a majority of turmeric farmers fall within the medium category across several socioeconomic and psychological dimensions. This uniform pattern underscores the need for designing customized developmental programs that cater specifically to this dominant group. Strengthening extension support systems, improving access to institutional credit, ensuring timely technical guidance, and promoting farmer group approaches could help in transforming mediumperforming farmers into progressive cultivators. Therefore, policy planners and extension agencies should concentrate on enhancing the knowledge, skills, and economic resources of this group to achieve sustainable turmeric production and improved livelihood outcomes (Kishore et al 2025) [5] .

References

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