IMPACT OF KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS ON ADOPTION OF FARM TECHNOLOGIES AND INCOME OF FARMERS-A CASE STUDY OF KVK KANGRA.
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Date
2019-07-23
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CSKHPKV, Palampur
Abstract
The growth of Indian economy depends upon performance of agriculture and allied sectors. With the use of technology based knowledge on farm, farmer is able to realize better production and income. To bridge the gap between potential yields and actual yields obtained by farmers in our country, extension agencies like KVK are working to serve the farming society. Keeping this background in view, the present study pertained to impact of Krishi Vigyan Kendras on adoption of farm technologies and income of farmers. The investigation was undertaken in Kangra block of Kangra district where KVK is located. The main aim was of the study to examine the extent of adoption of improved management practices by farmers and impact of KVK on adoption, farm productivity and income. Stratified two-stage random sampling design was employed to select 60 sample farmers (30 beneficiary farmers and 30 non-beneficiary farmers) from the study area. Data were collected by survey method from sample farmers and office of KVK Kangra. It has been found that KVK Kangra played a significant role in dissemination of technical know-how about farming. The achievement of planned target was found to be more than 100 per cent which was clearly indicated by FLDs, OFTs, trainings and the number of participants in extension activities executed by KVK. The findings of study revealed that paddy, wheat and vegetables were the main crops grown by beneficiary farmers. Paddy, maize and wheat were the major crops grown on non-beneficiary farms. Area under vegetable crops was higher and, thus, beneficiary farms were more diversified than non-beneficiary farms. This was also validated through Herfindahl, Simpson and Entropy indices. The beneficiary farmers used more critical inputs and better management practices. Therefore, the technological gap was lower on KVK adopted farms as compared to non-beneficiary farms. The composite management index based on adoption of improved practices indicated higher adoption on beneficiary as compared to non-beneficiary farms for cereals, vegetables as well as livestock production. It was found that on the whole, the extent of adoption of improved practices was 45-50 per cent higher on beneficiary farms as majority of the farmers were in the category of very high to high adopters. Regression analysis also revealed the significant impact of KVK Kangra on increasing the productivity of crops and milch animals. There was a significant difference in the gross and net returns particularly with respect to summer and winter vegetable crops. Similarly, the returns from milch animals were also higher on beneficiary farms. The composition of farm income showed significant difference in the income from vegetable crops. On overall basis, the farm income was Rs. 1,88,572/farm on beneficiary farms and Rs. 82,862/farm on non-beneficiary farms. The factor analysis revealed that irrigated area, area under vegetable crops and KVK significantly contributed in enhancing farm income. The beneficiary farmers obtained Rs. 66,254 higher income than the non-beneficiary farmers. It was found that there is a need to expand the outreach of KVK to those areas which have not been served so far. The emphasis should be laid on resource poor farmers having less irrigated area and poor economic status. There is also need to include entrepreneurship and record keeping so that farmers can effectively adopt improved technology and prepare business plans to enhance their incomes.
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