Awareness and Brand Preference of Chickpea Growers towards Selected Pesticides in Junagadh District of Gujarat, India

The study was carried out with five objectives: to know the cropping pattern of farmers, to measure market potential of selected pesticides, to know the awareness of farmers towards selected pesticides, to know the factors that influence brand preference of chickpea growers towards selected pesticides, and to identify the problems faced by farmers and dealers related to pesticides. Total 150 chickpea farmers and 25 dealers were studied. The primary data were collected from the Moti Monpari, Sarsai, Khambhaliya, Liliya, and Vichhavad. Major portion of farmers get information about pesticide from the retailer shop. The primary factors considered by the farmers in brand preference towards fungicides and insecticides were: perception about product, influence by others, price sensitivity, and easy to use. The major problem of the farmer related to pesticides was lack of technical knowledge, followed by unawareness about adverse effect on health and non-availability of pesticide on time. The major problem of dealers related to pesticides was low margin, followed by high competition and high cost of transportation.