ANSARI, M RPADMAIAH, M2019-10-222019-10-221995No. of references 190http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810132593The present study was conducted to know the perception of usefulness of Watershed Development Programme and adoption of recommended watershed technologies by the farmers of watershed area and non-watershed area. An attempt was also made to understand the relationship between personal, socio¬economic and psychological characteristics of farmers and their level of perception of Watershed Development Programme (WDP) as to its usefulness and adoption of recommended watershed technologies. The constraints involved in the adoption of recommended watershed technologies were also studied.The study was conducted during 1994-95 in the World Bank aided "Janampet Watershed" in Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The data were collected from the sample of 300 farmers from randomly chosen twelve vi1lages of watershed area including two boundary villages. Out of which 150 from the watershed area and rest from the non-watershed area. In order to assess perception of usefulness of watershed area a comprehensive perception scale was developed.The major findings of the study were - It is found that majority of the farmers (58 and 56*) from watershed and non-watershed areas belonged to "useful perception" category of WDP. It is also conformed from the study that a majority (54.67 and 58.67%) of farmers from watershed and non watershed areas belonged to medium level adoption group of recommended improved crop production practices. However, variation was noted between farmers of watershed and non watershed areas in adoption of recommended seed, seed treatment and fertilizers application to sorghum and castor crops. The major constraints in adoption of sorghun varieties were threshing problem and low straw yield, while in castor, the major constraints were high cost of hybrid seed and requires fresh seed every year. Further, the significant variation was also noted in adoption of recommended soil and water conservation measures and dryland horticulture (Mango crop). The major reasons realised by them for non-adoption were involves expenditure and risk in maintenance of works.The correlation analysis revealed that variables namely education, extension contact, development opportunity, credit orientation, adoption of recommended practices in case of watershed area. While, in non watershed area risk orientation and economic motivation were emerged as most decisive factors with the perception of usefulness of VfDP. In case of adoption of recommended improved practices by the watershed farmers, the variables namely, educat, ion, farm size, development opportunity, employment generation, credit orientation, economic motivation and perception of usefulness of WOP. While in non¬watershed area the variables namely age, annual income, risk orientation,economic motivation and perception of usefulness of WOP were emerged asdecisive variables. Farmers’ participation in the watershed was poor, whilethe participation of officials was highly appreciable. Farmers from watershed and non-watershed areas were indirectly benefited with drinking water facility to cattle, area The major suggestions made by the officials were, need of effective co-ordination between allied departments, covering entire village in order to ensure peoples’ participation and entrusting the post project maintenance to local institutions. While, majority of farmers in watershed and non-watershed areas suggested priority for construction of more nunber of cheokdems, nalabunds, large size bunds, followed by coverage of entire village.ennullThesis