Impact of training on knowledge and adoption levels of Chawki rearing centre owners of Karnataka state

The knowledge, adoption and impact of chawki rearing training has been assessed by using pre-tested structured interview schedule for the study in the Karnataka state commercial Chawki Rearing Centres (CRC). The study revealed that after training CRC owners gained knowledge about loose egg brushing technique for bivoltine hybrids and had awareness about mulberry variety suitable for chawki rearing (V1 and S36). Application of Farmyard manure (FYM) and plant protection (20%) measures had also significant impact after training. In case of pruning, chawki garden maintenance and training of mulberry garden have not given importance. CRC owners gained significant impact on knowledge level of number of feedings. There is a significant improvement in adoption of loose egg brushing (60%). The adoption of chawki rearing technologies especially transportation of chawki worms, more than 95% of the larvae from the CRCs transported before completion of first moult and the impact was very less (20%) on transportation of chawki worms. Extension programmes should have also extended to CRC owners for those who are diluting the chawki rearing concept for better technology adoption and viable system.