Performance Analysis of Krishi Bhagya Scheme in Agro-climatic Zone-3 of Karnataka

Abstract

India has been predominantly an agricultural country. The progress of India is very much dependent on the development of agriculture. In recent years, effect of climate change seen in the form of long dry spells and heavy rains in rainfed areas causing drought and floods, respectively. However, these vagaries can be overcome by adopting soil conservation measures, changing cropping pattern, rain water harvesting etc., The present study was undertaken ‘to know the utilization pattern of the components by the KBS beneficiaries’ in Bagalkot and Vijayapura districts of Karnataka during 2017-2018 by the ex-post-facto research design with the sample size of 120 beneficiaries. The results revealed that contour bunds were constructed to increase ground water table (6.67 %) and control erosion (5.83 %). The probable reason might be that, majority of them having semi-medium land holdings. So, they are not ready to reduce the area on their productive lands. All the beneficiaries were constructed farm ponds to harvest rain water to provide protective irrigations in critical stages of crops to get good yield, collected water is also used for providing drinking water for humans and animals (77.50 %). All the beneficiaries installed diesel pump set to lift water from farm pond. Diesel pump is available in lower price and is compulsory to get subsidy under this scheme. So, the poor farmers can able to purchase and used for own purpose. Forty per cent of beneficiaries providing irrigations to the crops through sprinkler irrigations once in two weeks. So, that not even a drop is wasted and crop gets the required quantity of water at the right time for better yield. Thirty-five per cent of beneficiaries growing capsicum and tomato (15.00 %) in poly house. This study implies that KBS is facilitating the farming community not only in increasing production and productivity, but also in conserving natural resources to the greater extent. Therefore, the replication of the KBS for the non-beneficiaries is most desired to transform the socio-economic condition of the farming community at large.