Impact of KVK Training Programmes and Frontline Demonstrations on Adoption of Pusa Basmati 1121 in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir

The study was carried out in Kathua, Barnoti and Hiranagar blocks of Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. These three blocks were purposely selected because, traditionally, these blocks have maximum area under rice. Apart from training programmes and frontline demonstrations, other extension methodologies viz., farmers-scientists interactions, field days and media coverage were also employed to get the maximum impact. The data were collected through personal contacts with the help of well structured interview schedule. Total thirteen practices were selected as a criterion to evaluate the farmers for the extent of knowledge gained and adoption of basmati rice production technologies as a result of the training programmes conducted by KVK, Kathua. The results of the study revealed that the farmers had gained knowledge about the production technologies for basmati ranging between 9.4 per cent in case of land preparation to 86.6 per cent in case of high yielding Pusa basmati 1121 variety, after attending the training programmes. It was noticed that none of the farmers were following the improved practices viz., high yielding variety, seed treatment, soil testing and time and method of harvesting before acquiring training whereas, after attending training programmes 86.6 per cent trainees adopted Pusa basmati-1121, 73.3 per cent seed treatment, 46.6 per cent soil testing and 48.0 per cent adopted appropriate time and method of harvesting. Further, it was observed that after attending the training programmes, the farmers started adopting the production technologies ranging from 18.7 per cent for storage to 86.6 per cent for high yielding variety i.e. Pusa basmati 1121.