Abstract

                                The study on the attitude of horticultural farmers towards the National Horticulture Mission in Hosur, Shoolagiri and Krishnagiri blocks of Krishnagiri district reveals that nearly half (45.00%) of the respondents in this study strongly agree. Another 20.00% do agree that NHM encourages the farmers to take up proper care of their horticultural crops in the study area. Majority (33.33%) of the respondents in this study and another 20.00% strongly disagree with the procedure for getting the benefits from NHM is complex. About (23.33%) of the respondents and another 20.00 strongly agree and agree that NHM helps the farmers to improve their overall social status in society. It was found that 36.66% strongly disagree and disagree (30.00%) that NHM creates marketing facilities for fruits during the rise in fruit production. The majority (30.00%) disagree and another 23.33% strongly disagree that NHM benefits are unreached to all due to its improper publicity inthe study area. About 36.66% of the respondents disagree and another 25.00 % strongly disagree that NHM benefits only the big farmers. One-fourth (25.00 percent) of the respondents and another 18.33% strongly agree and agree in this study that NHM increase hope for small scale fruit processing industries. About 23.3% and another 18.33% of the respondents in this study strongly agree that NHM is a boon for small and marginal farmers in the study area. The findings also reveal that more than half (58.33%) of the respondents disagree and strongly disagree (23.33%) that NHM activities are irrelevant to the needs of small and marginal farmers.

Key words : Attitude, National Horticulture Mission and Horticulture Farmers