A study on constraints faced by the respondents in dryland farming trainings provided by central research institute for dryland agriculture (CRIDA)

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.

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 challenging environments. (Patil et al., 2017) [16] .

Study Area: Mahbubnagar, Telangana

Mahbubnagar, located in the southern part of Telangana, is characterized by a semi-arid climate with predominantly rainfed agriculture. The region's farmers largely depend on monsoon rains for cultivation, making it a pertinent area for studying the impact of CRIDA's training programs. Mahbubnagar's agricultural landscape includes diverse crops such as pulses, millets, oilseeds, and horticultural crops, all of which are crucial for the local economy and food security. The selection of this area for the study is significant due to its typical dryland farming conditions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of training programs in such environments. (Naidu et al., 2016) [12] .

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the farmers participation in training programmes of CRIDA in Mahbubnagar. By analysing the constraints faced by 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 www.extensionjournal.com rainfed regions, aligning with national goals of agricultural development and food security.

Statement of the problem

The study seeks to evaluate the Constraints of the farmers towards Dryland Farming Training programme of Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), with a focus on the Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. This research aims to identify the constraints faced by the farmers in promoting sustainable dryland farming practices and gather their suggestions for improvements. By providing a detailed analysis of CRIDA's extension programs, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, the study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness. The insights gained will be instrumental in refining training programs, developing targeted interventions, and ultimately improving the support provided to dryland farmers. This comprehensive understanding will help in determining the identifying the challenges faced by extension workers will provide valuable inputs for enhancing the efficiency and impact of extension services. Ultimately, the findings will contribute to the broader goals of increasing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and the resilience of farming communities in dryland regions.

Justification

The study aims to evaluate the Constraints faced by the farmers of Dryland Farming training programme of CRIDA in Mahbubnagar, Telangana, by examining the challenges they face. It will provide a comprehensive understanding of the extension programs. Insights gained will refine training programs and develop targeted interventions, ultimately enhancing support for dryland farmers. The findings will contribute to increased agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience in dryland farming communities.

Objective

To study the constraints faced by respondents in dryland farming trainings and seeking their suggestions to overcome.

Review of Literature

Constraints faced by the respondents in getting information through CRIDA Sharma and Gupta (2012) [20] assessed the constraints faced by 150 extension officers, revealing that 70% cited logistical difficulties, such as transportation issues, as a major barrier to reaching remote farming communities. Kumar and Patel (2013) [8] discovered that among 130 extension functionaries, 68% faced issues related to insufficient funding for extension activities, limiting their ability to conduct frequent and effective training sessions for farmers. Mehta and Reddy (2014) [11] identified that 64% of 160 extension officers struggled with the lack of timely and relevant research data, which impeded their ability to provide evidence-based recommendations to farmers. Reddy and Nair (2015) [19] reported that 66% of 180 extension functionaries faced constraints related to bureaucratic hurdles, such as lengthy approval processes for implementing new initiatives, which delayed support to farmers. Patil et al. (2016) [15] found that 70% of 200 extension workers cited the unavailability of adequate training materials and resources as a significant constraint, affecting their efficiency in disseminating knowledge to farmers. Choudhary and Singh (2017) [3] surveyed 170 extension functionaries and revealed that 72% experienced difficulties due to the lack of collaboration between research institutions and extension services, which hindered the flow of information to farmers. Gupta and Sharma (2018) discovered that 68% of 150 extension officers identified socio-economic challenges faced by farmers, such as low income and high vulnerability, as constraints that limited the effectiveness of extension activities. Rao and Desai (2019) [17] reported that 65% of 160 extension functionaries faced issues with the inadequate adaptation of training programs to local conditions, resulting in less effective knowledge transfer to farmers. Sharma et al. (2020) found that 67% of 140 extension officers cited poor communication infrastructure, such as limited internet access, as a major constraint in disseminating information to farmers in dryland areas. Patel and Kumar (2021) surveyed 180 extension functionaries and found that 69% faced challenges related to the lack of integration of traditional and scientific knowledge, which affected farmers' acceptance of new practices. Nair and Reddy (2022) [13] discovered that 72% of 190 extension officers reported constraints due to the lack of motivation and incentives, which affected their enthusiasm and effectiveness in supporting dryland farmers. Bhagat and Swaminathan (2023) [1] identified that 68% of 170 extension functionaries faced challenges related to cultural barriers and resistance to change among farmers, making it difficult to implement new dryland farming practices. Chandra and Bhatia (2024) [2] found that 70% of 180 extension workers cited the complexity of dryland farming techniques and the need for more simplified, farmer-friendly training materials as major constraints in their extension work.

Research Methodology Research Design

It is a blue print of the detailed procedures for testing the hypothesis and to analyze the collected data. The design of the present study was descriptive one based on survey method. The study attempts to describe and analyze the role of "A study on Constraints faced by the farmers in Dryland Farming Trainings provided by CRIDA"

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 www.extensionjournal.com significant population and area, encompassing various topographies and soil types.

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

Measurement of Constraints

In this study, constraints are defined as the problems encountered or perceived by farmers while benefiting from the knowledge and attitude changes induced by CRIDA's farming training programs. The number and percentage of each constraint were calculated to measure the difficulties faced by the respondents. [17] , emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues to optimize training outcomes and farmer engagement.

Results and Discussion Main Challenges/Constraints Faced by Respondents Dryland Farming Training Programs by CRIDA

References

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