Author(s):

Vijaya Hosamani and Vijaymahantesh

Abstract: Coconut is a crop of small and marginal farmers. Even though coconut industry has got potential to grow wide, it is also facing some problems. One among them is plucking of coconuts because of the height of coconut tree. The farmers are using traditional (physical) method till today which has got high risk. So, to help farmers Directorate of Extension, UHS Bagalkot conducted three Palm climbing and plant protection capacity building programmes for rural youth so that youth can become self employed. The programmes were funded by Coconut Development Board, Kochi, Kerala. So the study was conducted in Bagalkot district to critically analyse the extent of utilization of Palm Climbing Machine and to assess the economic benefits gained by the trainees. A purposive sampling method was used in selecting respondents, thus the rural youth who had undergone training were selected. Further, out of 60 beneficiaries, 45 rural youth were selected as sample for the study. Data were collected personally using structured schedule. The results revealed that those who were not climbing coconut tree before the training, are also climbing coconut tree using coconut climbing machine after the training programmer. Around 82 per cent of the respondents expressed training was Very much useful. Respondents could gain Rs.6315.56 as additional income per anum on an average. There was saving of 13.96 minutes time spent on climbing coconut tree on an average. So use of coconut climbing machine not only increased income but also reduced waste of time.

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