Knowledge of farmers about Soil and Rainwater Conservation Technology and its determinants

Water, being the most critical input for plant growth, plays a key role in enhancing agricultural production. It is a vital component of life support system, economic upliftment and overall well being of the mankind. The study was conducted in a dry farming area of Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir State. Barnoti and Kathua blocks were purposively selected, because there are similar climatic conditions, cropping patterns and crops. In all 150 farmers were drawn by using proportionate random sampling method from 15 randomly selected villages from the selected blocks for the purpose of study. The study concludes that majority of the farmers had medium level of knowledge about soil and rain water conservation technology. The farmers were found to be aware about summer ploughing, sowing of crops across the slope, mulching, purpose of earthen bunds, loose boulder structure, brush wood dam, farm pond and vegetative barriers for conservation of soil and rain water. Socio economic status was the major determinant of knowledge of farmers about soil and rain water conservation technology.