Impact of trainings on scaling up the knowledge and adoption of new/improved farm practices by farmers of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, India

Seven number of 7 days’ trainings for farmers were conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bajaura, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 to a group of 340 farmers. Impact of trainings on farmers’ knowledge was assessed on the basis of post evaluation performas provided to the trainees on different components. The results of the trainings revealed that farmers laid stress on the efficient use of water by micro-irrigation techniques followed by rain water harvesting by constructing cemented/poly-lined tanks, use of organic amendments for soil water conservation in hilly areas, soil and water conservation in slopy lands, and in-situ moisture conservation techniques. Under soil health and nutrient management importance of soil testing and nutrient management based, on soil testing caught attention of maximum farmers followed by integrated nutrient management in field, vegetable and fruit crops, vermicompost/compost preparation and production and use of organic inputs for maintaining soil health and nutrition. In case of trainings on crop production/protection, maximum farmers showed their interest on vegetable production followed by production of horticultural crops, plant protection measures, crop diversification, agriculture crops production and weed management. In case of animal husbandry, dairy management was the most sought after followed by fodder production, poultry and fishery. Comparison of data before and after trainings revealed that there was increase in percentage of farmers who adopted different components after completion of the trainings especially vemicompost preparation, production and use of organic inputs for maintaining soil health and nutrition, production of vegetables and horticultural crops, crop diversification, dairy management, INM in field, vegetables and fruit crops, plant protection measures, micro-irrigation and production of agricultural crops.