Impact of farmer field schools in KVK adopted villages on improved practices of cotton

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) is the methodology in extension to work with people by way of creating a learning environment in which farmers can master and apply specific management skills. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Jammikunta has conducted demonstrations in cotton by adopting the FFS method; these demonstrations of KVK have created awareness among the farming community on Integrated Crop Management aspects in cotton with a special focus on pest management. As the programme has completed four years of its implementation, an attempt was made to study the level of knowledge and extent of adoption of improved cotton cultivation practices by the farmers in karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh using ex-post facto research design. The profile analysis of FFS farmers indicated that majority of them were middle aged, with medium farming experience, medium farm size, high extension contact, innovativeness, medium level of mass media exposure, scientific orientation, risk orientation and medium level of training received. Sixty five per cent of the FFS farmers possessed high level of Knowledge where as only 42 per cent of the Non FFS farmers has high level of knowledge. The level of adoption was high (50%) compared to only 38 per cent among the Non FFS Farmers. Thus, the present extension delivery system can be supported through taking demonstrations by using FFS methodology as a successful extension approach.