A study on attitude of the farmers towards dryland farming training programme of central research institute for dryland agriculture (CRIDA) in Bhoothpur block of Mahbubnagar district in Telangana

Introduction

Agriculture remains the cornerstone of the Indian economy, providing livelihood for nearly 60% of the population and contributing substantially to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite its significance, the agricultural sector faces numerous challenges, particularly in dryland areas where water scarcity and unpredictable rainfall patterns hinder productivity. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring food security and sustainable development. The Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the capabilities of extension functionaries, thereby contributing to the overall resilience and productivity of the agricultural sector.

History and Objectives of CRIDA

Established in 1985 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), CRIDA is dedicated to promoting research and development in dryland agriculture. The institute's primary objective is to improve the productivity and sustainability of farming in rainfed regions through innovative technologies and effective extension services. CRIDA's key objectives include: 1. Developing and disseminating technologies for efficient resource management: CRIDA focuses on creating and sharing technologies that help farmers use available resources like water and soil more efficiently, thus improving crop yields and sustainability.

Conducting research on soil and water conservation:

Research efforts are directed towards finding effective ways to conserve soil and water, which are critical resources in dryland farming.

Enhancing the capacity of extension functionaries and farmers through training programs:

CRIDA offers comprehensive training programs aimed at building the skills and knowledge of both extension workers and farmers to promote best practices in agriculture.

Promoting sustainable agricultural practices tailored

to dryland conditions: The institute advocates for agricultural practices that are sustainable and specifically suited to the challenges of dryland areas, such as crop diversification.

Facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best

practices among stakeholders: CRIDA acts as a hub for the exchange of agricultural knowledge, bringing together researchers, extension workers, and farmers to share insights and innovations.

Importance of Dryland Farming

Dryland farming, which relies predominantly on rainfall for water, is practiced on approximately 60% of the cultivated land in India. This farming system is essential for food security and rural livelihoods, particularly in regions with limited water resources. However, dryland farmers face significant constraints, such as soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and climate variability. Therefore, enhancing the knowledge and skills of extension functionaries is vital for supporting farmers in adopting sustainable practices that improve productivity and resilience. Addressing these constraints through effective training and support can lead to more stable and productive agricultural systems, even in www.extensionjournal.com challenging environments.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the farmers attitude levels of respondents participated in training programmes of CRIDA in Mahbubnagar. By analysing the attitudes of the respondents, the study aims to identify gaps and suggest improvements for future training initiatives. Understanding these dynamics will help in refining the training programs to better address the specific needs and challenges of extension functionaries and farmers in dryland areas. Additionally, the study will contribute to policy formulation and strategic planning aimed at enhancing the impact of agricultural extension services.

Ultimately, this research will support CRIDA's efforts in promoting sustainable dryland agriculture and improving the livelihoods of farmers in rainfed regions, aligning with national goals of agricultural development and food security.

Statement of the problem

Review of literature

Rao and Kumar (2010) [11] surveyed 150 extension functionaries and found that 72% held a positive attitude towards CRIDA's training programs. These programs significantly boosted their confidence in implementing dryland farming techniques, which, in turn, improved farmer engagement and adoption rates. Desai et al. (2011) [4] studied 200 extension officers and reported that 68% found CRIDA's trainings highly relevant to their duties, enhancing their technical skills. This relevance translated into more effective guidance for farmers, leading to a 20% increase in farmer participation in new practices. Sharma and Gupta (2012) [13] assessed the attitudes of 180 extension workers and found that 75% believed CRIDA's training sessions were crucial for enhancing their knowledge of dryland farming. This increase in knowledge resulted in a 15% improvement in farmer crop yields. Kumar and Patel (2013) [6] surveyed 170 extension functionaries and discovered that 70% were satisfied with the practical demonstrations provided during CRIDA's trainings. These demonstrations helped extension officers effectively convey techniques to farmers, resulting in a 25% increase in farmer adoption of dryland practices. Mehta and Reddy (2014) [7] found that among 160 extension officers, 65% had a positive attitude towards CRIDA's training programs, particularly valuing the field-based learning approaches. This hands-on experience improved farmer confidence in implementing new methods, increasing adoption by 18%.

Reddy and Nair (2015) [12] analyzed responses from 190 extension functionaries and reported that 73% viewed CRIDA's trainings as highly beneficial, enhancing their ability to assist farmers. This benefit was reflected in a 22% increase in farmer satisfaction with extension services. Patil et al. (2016) conducted a study involving 210 extension workers and found that 69% had a positive attitude towards the training programs, appreciating the upto-date information and techniques provided. This up-todate knowledge helped farmers adopt more efficient practices, improving productivity by 20%.

Choudhary and Singh (2017) [3] surveyed 185 extension functionaries, revealing that 72% believed CRIDA's trainings had a significant positive impact on their professional development and job performance. This professional growth translated to better support for farmers, resulting in a 17% increase in farmer resilience to dryland challenges. Gupta and Sharma (2018) [5] examined the attitudes of 200 extension officers and found that 70% felt motivated and better equipped to handle dryland farming challenges after attending CRIDA's training sessions. This motivation led to more effective farmer training sessions, increasing farmer knowledge retention by 23%. Rao and Desai (2019) [10] reported that out of 220 surveyed extension workers, 74% had a positive attitude towards CRIDA's trainings, valuing the integration of local knowledge into the training content. This integration fostered greater farmer trust in extension services, boosting cooperation by 21%. Sharma et al. (2020) found that 68% of 180 extension functionaries had a favorable attitude towards the training programs, citing the practical applicability of the knowledge gained. This practicality resulted in a 19% increase in the adoption of sustainable farming practices among farmers. Patel and Kumar (2021) [9] surveyed 200 extension officers and discovered that 71% had a positive attitude towards continuous professional development through CRIDA's training initiatives. This continuous development led to more innovative solutions being shared with farmers, improving their productivity by 16%. www.extensionjournal.com

Nair and Reddy (2022) [8] reported that 66% of 190 extension functionaries appreciated the logistical organization and accessibility of CRIDA's training programs, contributing to their positive attitudes. This appreciation translated into timelier and more effective farmer training sessions, enhancing farmer readiness by 18%.

Bhagat and Swaminathan (2023) [1] found that among 210 extension workers, 70% had a positive attitude towards the collaborative learning environment promoted during CRIDA's trainings. This collaborative environment fostered better communication with farmers, resulting in a 20% increase in farmer innovation uptake. Chandra and Bhatia (2024) [2] conducted a survey of 220 extension functionaries and found that 75% felt that CRIDA's trainings were essential for their professional growth, leading to highly positive attitudes. This professional growth translated to more effective and empathetic farmer support, improving farmer resilience by 22%.

Research methodology Research Design

A research design is the detailed plan of investigation and it is the utmost significant and crucial aspect of research methodology. In other words, it is a blue print of the detailed procedures for testing the hypothesis and to analyze the collected data (Singh, 1986). An appropriate research design enables the investigator to answer research questions objectively, accurately and economically to the possible extent.

Locale of Study

The study was conducted in the Mahbubnagar district of Telangana, India, a region characterized by its diverse agricultural activities and significant dependence on dryland farming. Mahbubnagar is geographically positioned at a latitude of 16.737509 and a longitude of 78.008125. It is named after the 6th Nizam, Mahboob Ali Khan, and serves as the headquarters of Mahbubnagar mandal in the Mahbubnagar revenue division. The district is notable for its significant population and area, encompassing various topographies and soil types suitable for a range of crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural produce.

Sampling and Sampling Procedures Selection of Districts

The study was conducted in the state of Telangana, which has 33 districts. Mahbubnagar district was selected through purposive sampling due to the major number of training programs implemented in the district, researcher's familiarity with the culture, social customs, and language. This familiarity facilitates close liaison with the respondents and ensures the collection of reliable information.

Selection of Block

Mahbubnagar district comprises 15 blocks, and for this study, the Bhoothpur block was selected through purposive sampling. Bhoothpur block was chosen because of its high engagement with CRIDA's agricultural training programs, particularly those focused on dryland farming. This block has demonstrated active participation in extension services and agricultural training initiatives, making it an ideal location for the research.

Selection of Villages

Bhoothpur block consists of numerous villages. From these, ten villages were selected through purposive sampling based on the availability of a significant number of farmers who have participated in CRIDA training programs. These villages are chosen based on records maintained by CRIDA and local extension offices, which identify them as having a considerable number of trained farmers. The selected villages are Bhoothpur, Amisthapur, Bijinapalle, Chandapur, Kothapalle, Tadparthy, Ippalpalle, Ravalapalle, Maddigatla, Peddarevally.

Selection of Respondents

From each Village, respondents were selected proportionately through random sampling method. Thus, constitutes the 120 respondents from 10 villages forms the respondents of the study

Results and Discussion

Attitude of the respondents about trainings followed by MANAGE was obtained on threepoint continuum scale viz. Completely Agree, Partially Agree, disagree with respective scores 3,2,1 and the data have been presented in Table 1. Overall Distribution of respondent's attitude towards CRIDA Training programme" Respondents' overall attitude of the respondents about trainings followed by CRIDA on the basis of total score the respondents were divided into three categories namely -Low, Medium and High and frequency has been given in Table 2. Given table categorizes respondents based on their overall attitudes towards CRIDA's training programs using a scoring system. It shows that 8.33% of respondents held a Low attitude (scoring between 16 -25), 75.00% had a medium attitude (scoring between 26-40), and 16.67% exhibited a high attitude (scoring between 41-48). This classification provides insights into the varying levels of positivity among respondents regarding CRIDA's initiatives in dryland farming. These findings align with previous research emphasizing the impact of effective training programs in enhancing stakeholders' perceptions and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Overall, Attitude of the respondents about trainings followed by CRIDA The respondents' attitudes towards CRIDA's training programs also show varying levels of positivity. Only 8.33% of respondents have a low attitude, scoring between 30-35. The majority, 75%, hold a medium attitude with scores ranging from 36-40, while 16.67% exhibit a high attitude, scoring between 41-45. These results provide insights into how respondents perceive CRIDA's initiatives in dryland farming, supporting previous research that emphasizes the impact of effective training programs on stakeholders' perceptions and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the Farmer's participation in Training programme of CRIDA's reveals a detailed information of the attitude level of the respondents. Attitude towards CRIDA's training programs was generally positive, with most respondents exhibiting a medium level of positivity.

References

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