Knowledge level of farmers regarding tank irrigation management and suitable cropping patterns in Telangana state under mission Kakatiya programme

Abstract

The present study was undertaken in Telangana to assess farmers’ knowledge regarding tank irrigation practices and appropriate cropping patterns under the Mission Kakatiya programme. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted. The study covered six districts—Karimnagar, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Siddipet, and Bhadradri Kothagudem. From each district, one mandal was selected, and from each mandal, one beneficiary and one non-beneficiary village were chosen randomly. A total of 360 respondents (180 beneficiaries and 180 non-beneficiaries) were selected. The findings indicated that among beneficiary farmers, 50% had a medium level of knowledge, followed by 27.78% with high and 22.22% with low knowledge. Among non-beneficiaries, 47.22% had medium knowledge, while 27.78% and 25.00% fell into low and high categories, respectively. The calculated Z-value (4.22) was statistically significant at the 0.05 level, indicating a meaningful difference between the two groups. Thus, beneficiaries exhibited relatively higher knowledge compared to non-beneficiaries.