MSc

The study titled „Assessment of socio psychological constructs in post flood situation: The case of kuttanad rice farmers‟ was conducted during the year 2019-2020. The objectives of the study was to assess the socio psychological constructs of rice farmers of Kuttanad after flood, to explore and analyse the factors that influence flood as perceived by the farmers and to delineate the strategies to mitigate the post flood situation as perceived by the farmers and officials. The sample of the investigation comprised of 20 farmers each from Chambakulam, Nedumudi, Pulinkunnu and Ramankary representing the most flood affected panchayats in the alappuzha district and 30 agriculture officials.
On investigation of profile characters of the farmers it was found that majority of the farmers (68.75%) were middle aged and were dominated by males (76%); majority of the farmers had college level education (47.5%), with medium farming experience(64%); more than half of the farmers belonged to medium income level(77%); majority of the farmers had medium area under cultivation (75%); more than half of the farmers (62%) had medium level of self confidence; almost 63% of the farmers belonged to medium level of problem solving ability; majority of the farmers (60%) had moderate level of optimism; 60% of the farmers had medium level of innovation proneness; most of the farmers( 54%) had moderate to high level of risk propensity.
The results on emotional intelligence of the farmers disclosed that more than half of the farmers (63%) belonged to the category of medium level of emotional intelligence. Correlation analysis revealed that optimism, innovation proneness and risk propensity of the farmers were significantly related at 5% level of significance, while self confidence and problem solving ability were significantly related at 1% level of significance with the emotional intelligence of farmers.
The study revealed that the major factor influencing flood as perceived by the farmers was unusually high rainfall. Self help, reaching out for mutual help and repairing damages were the major measures taken by farmers during and post flood respectively. Insuring the crops and exploring the possibilities of creating suitable
storage reservoirs were identified as the most important strategies to mitigate the post flood situation according to farmers. According to officials long term land use planning and regulation was the major strategy to mitigate the post flood situation. No significant change in rice area was observed during the years 2017-2019. However significant change in rice yield was observed prior and after flood. Majority of the farmers (66.25%) improved their existing land and modified existing home (56.25%). Also majority of the farmers (82.5%) incurred loss and debts. From the analysis and survey it can be interpreted that farmers of the Kuttanad region have an intermediate level of EI. Proper training and extension activities are essential to ensure the emotional, psychological, and social well being of the farmers.