Development and validation of knowledge test on technologies for risk adjustment in wheat cultivation

The farmers suffer huge loss in production due to climatic, biotic and abiotic risks. Therefore, there is a need to focus upon knowledge intensive extension strategies. To examine the prior status of knowledge, a knowledge test on technologies for adjustment to climatic and soil salinity risks with use of zero tillage system and other good practices for wheat cultivation was developed. The study was conducted in Mewat district of Haryana. A set of 19 items were screened and selected based on expert opinion for item analysis. These items were administered to 120 farmers who cultivated wheat and operated salinity affected areas. Item difficulty and item discrimination index were worked out. Except for one statement all other statements had desirable difficulty and discrimination index. The internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha) was found 0.95. Besides content validation with jury opinion, discriminant validity was worked out with known group, which showed that all other statements significantly differentiated the high and low score groups. One statement having low difficulty and discrimination index was revised and retained. Thus, valid Knowledge test of 19 items was developed.