IMPACT OF ANGRAU SUPPORTED RELIANCE FOUNDATION INFORMATION SERVICES IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH – A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
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Date
2019
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ACHARYA N G RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, GUNTUR
Abstract
Today, transfer of technology in extension system is done by multiple service providers including both public and private institutions responding to the multifaceted demands, problems and needs of the farmers. But one can never forget the role played by public extension system in attaining self reliance in food production in green revolution. Even for doubling of farmers’ income also the public extension system has a lead role to play. Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University is a public sector organization working for the welfare of farmers and farming community. The motto behind serving famers is to aid them in their development and in improving their farm income. And now it is working towards doubling of the farmers income.
Reliance Foundation Information Services (RFIS) is providing critical information to farmers using various communication channels. It has identified that farmers need right information, at right time, from right source for right decision making in order to increase their farm income. Keeping in view the importance of public organizations in reforming Agricultural extension services, Reliance Foundation approached ANGRAU to be the knowledge partner for its Information Services Programme. During 2014 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ANGRAU and Reliance Foundation for implementing Information Services Programme for the benefit of farmers in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
ANGRAU with the technical support from its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centres (DAATTCs), Agricultural Research Stations (ARS) is providing technical support to Reliance Foundation Information Services (RFIS) being implemented in all the districts of Andhra Pradesh with highest number of users in Guntur district. Hence the study was conducted in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.
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RFIS is disseminating the agricultural information though mobile text messages, mobile voice messages, knowledge on wheels programme, video conference, field awareness programmes, toll free number (1800-419-8800), phone in live, veterinary camps, bulletins & broadcasts and jio chat.
At this juncture the study was planned to study the profile characteristics, effectiveness of RFIS, impact of RFIS, relationship between profile characteristics and impact of RFIS, problems and suggestions elicited by the farmers. The study was conducted in Andhra Pradesh state during the year 20182019 using Ex-post facto research design. Guntur district was selected purposively as highest number of RFIS beneficiaries are present in this district.
Three mandals viz., Sattenapalle, Vatticherukuru and Pedakakani were selected based on the highest number of RFIS beneficiaries. From each of the selected mandal, four villages were selected using simple random sampling procedure. Dhulipalla, Kantepudi, Nandigama and Rentapalle villages from Sattenapalle mandal; Karempudipadu, Vinjanampadu, Karnepadu and Yammuru from Vatticherukuru mandal; Nambur, Venigandla, Takellapadu and Koppuravuru from Pedakakani mandal were selected for the study. Thus a total of twelve (12) villages and ten (10) respondents from each village who received RFIS since two years were selected using simple random procedure. Thus total sample comprised of 120 respondents. The data was collected by administering the pretested interview schedule. Statistical tools namely mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, ranking, correlation and multiple linear regression were used.
The findings of the study revealed that more than half of the respondents were middle aged (50.83%), followed by young (26.67%) and old (22.50%). More than one fourth of the respondents were educated up to middle school (28.33%), followed by high school (20.83%), primary school (17.50%), functionally illiterate (10.84%) graduation (9.17%), illiterate (7.50%), intermediate (5.83%) and none of them were post graduates. Less than half of the respondents had marginal (48.33%) land holdings, followed by small (35.83%), semi medium (13.34%) and medium (2.50%).
Less than half of the respondents had low (48.33%) farming experience, followed by medium (43.33%) and high (8.34%).
Less than half of the respondents occupation was agriculture (46.66%), followed by agriculture + livestock (25.83%), agriculture + agriculture labour (19.17%), agriculture + business (6.67%) and agriculture + Private Job (1.67%) . Less than two third of the respondents had medium (65.00%) annual income, followed by high (22.50%) and low (12.50%). The social participation of 44.17 per cent of the respondents was low, followed by medium (17.50%) and high (15.83%). Less than three fourth of the respondents had medium (72.50%) extension contact, followed by low (17.50%) and high (10.00%). The information seeking behaviour of 58.33 per cent of the respondents was medium, followed by high (27.50%) and low (14.17%).Majority of the respondents had
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medium (87.50%) material possession, followed by high (11.67%) and low (0.83%). Less than two third of the respondents had medium (64.17%) mass media utilisation, followed by high (23.33%) and low (12.50%).
Training received by 40.00 per cent of the respondents was high, followed by medium (31.67%) and low (28.33%) training received. Based on timeliness, credibility, usefulness, understandability, topic of interest, adoption and satisfaction with the information provided by RFIS 60.84 per cent of the respondents perceived medium effectiveness of RFIS, followed by low (21.66%) and high (17.50%). Based on technical, economic and social impact created by RFIS on two third of the respondents were observed in medium (66.66%) impact category, followed by high (17.50%) and low (15.84%).
The computed ‘r’ values of occupation, extension contact, information seeking behaviour, mass media utilisation and training received had positive and significant correlation with the effectiveness of RFIS. The variables land holding, annual income and social participation were found to have negative but significant correlation with the effectiveness of RFIS. The selected independent variables put together contributed 83.70 per cent of the total variation in the effectiveness RFIS on the farmers, leaving the rest to the extraneous factors.
The computed ‘r’ values of occupation, extension contact, information seeking behaviour, mass media utilisation and training received had positive and significant correlation with the impact of RFIS. The variables land holding, annual income and social participation were found to have negative but significant correlation with the impact of RFIS. The selected independent variables put together contributed 78.50 per cent of the total variation in the impact RFIS on the farmers, leaving the rest to the extraneous factors.
Majority of the respondents perceived that the lack information on address for inputs availability (87.50%, Rank I) as constraint in utilizing the ANGRAU supported RFIS, followed by lack farmer specific information (84.17%, Rank II); RFIS are on time rather than early (81.67%, Rank III); use of technical words (76.67%, Rank IV); lack information on preventive measures of pest, disease, etc (74.17%, Rank V); poor network connectivity (67.50%, Rank VI); lack information on entrepreneurship activities (62.50%, Rank VII); unable to reach toll free number (58.33%, Rank VIII); less frequency of weather information (52.50%, Rank IX); complex messages split into 2-3 messages, hence lacks continuity (50.83%, Rank X); the visits of the RFIS workers is not in time for additional information (45.83%, Rank XI); did not get an opportunity to participate in video conference (38.33%, Rank XII); repetition of message (33.33%, Rank XIII); unable to pick up voice messages (29.17%, Rank XIV); and needs costly smart phones to utilize the services effectively (25.00%, Rank XV).
Greater proportion of the respondents suggested for provision of information on address for inputs availability (98.33%); followed by dissemination of farmer specific information (93.33%); organisation of RFIS
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before time for resource mobilization (90.83%); decrease the use of technical words and increase local terminology for easy understanding and adoption of technology (87.50%); incorporate the information on preventive measures against pest, disease, etc(84.17%); improve the network access and connectivity by establishing towers at places of poor connectivity (80.83%); information on entrepreneurship activities should be increased and disseminated at more frequency (75.83%); toll free number call centres should be increased and call back facility from call centres should be strengthened (69.17%); increase the frequency on weather information, at least on alternate days or twice/week (66.67%); simple messages may be designed and complex messages should be avoided (62.50%); RFIS workers should make frequent visits to clarify framer queries and give further guidance on disseminated technologies (60.00%); ensure that every farmer gets an opportunity to participate in video conferences and phone in live programmes (52.50%); reduce repetition of message unless necessary (50.00%); deliver voice messages when farmers are convenient to receive (40.83%); specially designed smart phones to utilize RFIS may be supplied to beneficiaries (30.83%) and organise awareness programmes for better utilisation of RFIS (29.17%).
Description
D5896
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