M. Rama DevyMD. SAIFUDDIN2023-12-022023-12-022023-12-02D6418https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810202053Rythu Bharosa Kendram (RBK) is one stop shop for supply of government certified agri inputs (seeds, fertilizers and pesticides), animal Husbandry & fisheries inputs to the farmers at village level and has an attached workshop / knowledge centre for giving scientific agri advisories to the farmers and it is integrated with a call centre. RBKs – agro advisory boards were established at state level, district level, Mandal level and RBK level for better crop planning and marketing of agricultural produce based on agro - climatic situations at village level. Hence, there is a need to study the extent of effectiveness and constraints in utilisation of RBK services by the farmers. Research entitled “Rythu Bharosa Kendras in service of farmers – An Exploratory study” was undertaken to study the profile of beneficiary farmers of RBK, knowledge of farmers about the services rendered by RBKs, attitude of farmers towards functioning of RBKs, perceived effectiveness of services rendered by RBKs to the farmers, constraints faced by the farmers and enlist the suggestions for effective utilization of RBK services. The final outcome of the study helps the policy makers, functionaries to formulate suitable policies to reform and redesigning the structure of the RBKs. The study was conducted in East Godavari district during 2021-2022 using Exploratory research design with 120 respondents. Out of 62 mandals in East Godavari district, 4 mandals were selected purposively where highest number of RBKs were existing. From each selected mandal, 3 villages were selected. 10 farmers were selected from each village, thus making a total of 120 farmers. Primary data was collected by preparing interview schedule and the data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as Standard Normal Deviate Test. The profile of the beneficiary farmers revealed that majority of the farmers were middle aged, educated upto primary school, had 11-20 years of farming experience, belonged to marginal land holding, followed paddy+ paddy cropping pattern, medium xiii level of annual income, medium extension contact, medium mass media utilization and received 1 to 2 trainings. Majority of the farmers had medium level of knowledge regarding services rendered by RBKs. Most of the farmers had high knowledge on aspects like cost of e-crop booking and crop insurance and year of RBK started in their village. Majority of the farmers had moderately favourable attitude towards functioning of RBKs. Most of the farmers had favourable attitude on items like all sections of farming community are equally benefitted by RBKs and regular diagnostic visits to farmer fields is possible due to establishment of RBKs. Majority of the farmers perceived that services rendered by RBKs were moderately effective. Services like organisation of polambadi/thotabadi/pasuvigyanbadi by technical staff of RBKs and maintenance of digital kiosk for booking inputs at RBKs perceived as highly effective by the farmers. Constraints faced by farmers for utilization of services of RBKs were late payments to the farmers for marketed produce, followed by inputs are not provided on credit basis, non-availability of information on crop loan eligibility from bank mitra/representative at RBK. Suggestions given by farmers for effective utilization of services of RBKs were money disbursement for the marketed produce to be made earliest possible date, followed by Government should provide inputs on credit basis by linking Paddy Procurement Center (PPC) at RBK, availability of pesticides in sufficient quantities.EnglishThesis