Comparative Analysis of Entrepreneurial Behaviour among Pokkali and Non-Pokkali Farmers in Kerala
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Authors
Grison Paul
Nagaland University
Keywords:
Pokkali Cultivation, Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Agriculture, KeralaAbstract
In Kerala's coastal districts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Thrissur near the Arabian Sea, Pokkali rice farming is a long-standing, organic, traditional, and environmentally beneficial style of paddy production. The study was conducted in 2025 to compare the entrepreneurial behaviour between Pokkali and non-Pokkali farmers. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to gather primary data from 120 respondents and focus groups with key informants were conducted to validate the results. The Cronbach’s alpha value obtained was 0.826 for the 31-item scale.The results revealed that Pokkali farmers exhibited significantly higher entrepreneurial behaviour compared to non-Pokkali farmers. Among Pokkali farmers, extension contact, source of information and social participation exhibited a positive and significant relationship with entrepreneurial behaviour. Despite its ecological and economic importance, Pokkali cultivation has declined considerably in recent years due to multiple constraints. Therefore, strengthening such traditional and integrated farming systems through targeted extension interventions, capacity building, institutional support, and conservation efforts may support the development of entrepreneurial competencies, improve livelihood security, and contribute to sustainable agricultural development.
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