Perception and utilization of Rythu Seva Kendra (RSK) services by the farmers of Eluru district

Introduction

Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs), (earlier RYTHU SEVA KENDRAS) were launched on 30 May 2020 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh as a flagship institution-building initiative aimed at transforming the state's agrarian economy by bringing comprehensive support services to farmers at the village level. In November 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government initiated the modification of Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) by renaming them Rythu Seva Kendrams (RSKs). This change was formalized through The Andhra Pradesh Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which substitutes the term "RBKs" with "RSKs" across existing legislative frameworks. Positioned as "one-stop shops," RSKs integrated the supply of government-certified agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, cattle and fish feeds, farm machinery) with knowledge-based advisory services, technology dissemination, and linkages to public-distribution systems and post-harvest schemes (Indian Express, 2022) [10] . The RYTHU SEVA KENDRAS (RSKs) is one of the six initiatives nominated for awards by the United Nations Organizations (UNO), receiving international recognition and enhancing the pride of the nation. The initiative has revolutionized the agriculture www.extensionjournal.com sector by meeting farmers' needs from seed to sale. (Anuhya et. al, 2022) [1] . To keep this in view, an extension study has been conducted on Farmers perception and utilization of RSK services in the Eluru district.

Objectives of the study

1. To study the profile characteristics of farmers 2. To study the perception and utilization of RSKs services 3. To study the constraints faced by farmers in reach of RSKs services 4. To elicit the suggestions of farmers for strengthening of RSKs

Materials and Methods

The present study was conducted during 2024 in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 3 mandals were selected randomlyi.e., Tadepalligudem, Bhimavaram and Akiveedu. A total of 6 villages has been selected from those 3 mandals i.e. Pentapadu, T.P. Gudem, Athili, Rayalam, Akiveedu and Undi. Respondents are selected following random sampling technique resulting in a total sample size of 60 farmers. For the study ex-post facto research design was used. Data was collected through personal interviews, organized, and analyzed to determine the results and draw conclusions. The analysis employed various statistical tools such as frequency distributions, percentage, Standard Deviation and was used.

Results and Discussion

Profile characteristics of Farmers

The profile of respondents in the study reveals important characteristics that shape their interaction with Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) and their overall capacity to utilize agricultural information and services. [7] .

Input dealers are the most important source of information (30.00%), followed by MPEOs/VAAs (27.00%) and farmers/others (23.00%), indicating that private and peer-based channels dominate over formal government extension channels such as AO (18.00%) and scientists (2.00%). This highlights that extension contact through official machinery is relatively weak, and a large share of knowledge and input supply is mediated through dealers and informal networks. With respect to extension contact, only 13.00% of respondents reported frequent contact, while 50.00% contact extension agents sometimes and 37.00% rarely, suggesting limited and irregular interaction with formal extension, which may constrain the effective utilization of RSK services.

The vast majority of respondents (93.00%) have no membership in any organization, indicating low social participation and possibly limited collective action or group-based learning among farmers in the study area. Only 7.00% are members of any association, which may weaken their bargaining power and access to collective information, training, and schemes. Family size is largely small or medium, as 90.00% of the households have fewer than five members, which may affect labour availability and resource-mobilization capacity, thereby influencing both participation in RSK-related activities and the intensity of service utilization.

Perception and Utilization of RSKs Services

The table 2 and figure 1 on level of perception of Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) services reveals that the majority of the respondents hold a medium level of perception, while only a small proportion have a high or low perception.A striking 75.00% of the respondents fall in the medium level of perception, indicating that most farmers have a moderately positive view of the services provided by RSKs. This suggests that while RSKs are recognized as a useful institutional support mechanism, there is still scope for improvement in service quality, awareness generation, and timely delivery. Only 10.00% of the respondents show a high level of perception, implying that a limited segment of farmers perceives the RSK services as very effective, reliable, and beneficial to their farming operations. On the other hand, 15.00% of the respondents are in the low level of perception, indicating that a sizeable minority remain dissatisfied or unconvinced about the utility of RSK services due to limited awareness, poor accessibility, perceived service delays, or lack of trust in the system, which can hinder their effective utilization of RSK facilities. (Mathew, 2024) The table 3 and figure 2 on level of utilization of Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) services shows that the majority of respondents use these services only to a moderate extent, while a small proportion report either low or high utilization. A large majority of farmers (78.00%) fall under the medium level of utilization), indicating that they access RSK services but not intensively or comprehensively. Only 7.00% of respondents show a high level of utilization, which agrees with RSK-related studies where only about 10-15% of farmers were found to be intensive or high-level users of such institutional centres. This segment usually includes farmers who are better informed, more frequent visitors to RSKs, or those who actively participate in multiple schemes such as advisory meetings, soil-health services, and market linkages. (Rao, et al, 2024) [8] . At the same time, 15.00% of the respondents exhibit a low level of utilization, farmers rarely or minimally used extension or input-delivery facilities due to factors such as www.extensionjournal.com inadequate awareness, distance, or lack of trust. Low utilization often goes hand-in-hand with low perception and limited participation, reinforcing the need for targeted orientation, awareness campaigns, and improved last-mile outreach. 4 depicts the constraints faced by farmers in availing Rythu Seva Kendra (RSK) services. Non-procurement of the entire produce at RSKs, non-availability of inputs on credit basis, non-supply of farm machinery/implements/equipment on individual basis, absence of cold storages/godowns for storage of inputs and produce and non-availability of information on crop-loan eligibility from bank mitra/representative at RSK were each reported by 100% of respondents (Rank I). Disruptions in selling paddy at Paddy Procurement Centres (PPC) at RSKs along with late payments for marketed produce were reported by 82% of farmers (Rank II), while non-availability of micro-nutrients at RSK was cited by 70% (Rank III). Non-availability of cattle feed, non-issuance of animal health cards, and absence of milk collection centres at RSKs were reported by 57% (Rank IV) and non-availability of inputs on subsidy basis at RSK was mentioned by 43% (Rank V). Overall, these findings indicate that RSKs are functioning mainly as input-distribution points rather than as integrated service hubs, with limited support in procurement, credit, storage, information, and livestock-dairy services, thereby constraining their effective utilization by farmers. (Kishore et al, 2025)