Knowledge Levels of Chickpea Cultivation Technologies among Beneficiary and Non-Beneficiary Farmers under Cluster Front Line Demonstration in Bikaner District, Rajasthan, India
Om Prakash Choudhary *
Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, College of Agriculture, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, India.
Rajesh Kumar Verma
School of Post Graduate Studies, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, India.
Aravindh Kumar S
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India.
Ravindra Singh Choudhary
Department of Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Jodhpur Agricultural University, Jodhpur, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers regarding chickpea cultivation technologies demonstrated under the Cluster Front Line Demonstration (CFLD) program in Bikaner district, Rajasthan. A total of 200 farmers were selected, comprising 100 beneficiary farmers who had participated in CFLD activities and received relevant training, and 100 non-beneficiary farmers who had been cultivating chickpea independently for at least five years. Data were collected using structured interview schedules, and knowledge levels were assessed based on a knowledge test. The findings revealed that a majority (69%) of beneficiary farmers had medium-level knowledge, followed by 25% with high-level knowledge, and only 6% with low-level knowledge. In contrast, 55% of non-beneficiary farmers had medium-level knowledge, 36% had low-level knowledge, and only 9% had high-level knowledge. The data indicated a clear impact of CFLD training, as beneficiary farmers exhibited higher knowledge in areas such as harvesting, sowing time, improved varieties, and seed treatment. The study also highlighted significant knowledge gaps in certain aspects, particularly among non-beneficiary farmers. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in knowledge levels between the two groups, particularly in nine key aspects of chickpea cultivation. The study concluded that CFLD programs significantly enhance farmers' knowledge, and recommended expanding the program's reach, improving training strategies, and utilizing modern communication tools to further boost knowledge dissemination.
Keywords: Chickpea, cluster front line demonstration, knowledge level, beneficiary farmers, non-beneficiary farmers, extension activities, Rajasthan, agricultural technologies