A Study on Profile Characteristics of Stakeholders of Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs)

Abstract

In this modern era, farmers encounter difficulties in receiving timely services from extension agents. So, technological advancement in quality of services, speed in deliverables and precision actions are possible by creating proper interface between farmers, scientists, extension officers, service providers etc. and by bringing innovation/sustainable interventions in agriculture and allied sector. With this context as a new extension reform, Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched Rythu Bharosa Kendras. The study was carried out in Srikakulam, Prakasam and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 409 stakeholders were selected, among them 361 were farmers and 12 were scientis, 24 MAOs/DAOs, 12VAAs were selected for the study. The objective of the study was to know the profile of stakeholders of RBKs. The results of the study showed that majority of the farmers had medium extension contact (41.83%), medium mass media exposure (39.33%), medium innovativeness (42.66%), medium training undergone (38.23%), medium digital literacy (45.43%), medium possession of digital tools (44.88%), medium frequency of use of digital tools (44.32%), medium perception on RBKs(43.77% ), medium information sharing behaviour (45.16%). In case of stakeholders most of them had high mass media exposure (45.63%), medium innovatveness (64.58%), medium training undergone (72.92%),high digital literacy (50.00%),medium possession of digital tools (45.83%),high frequency of use of digital tools (50.00%), medium perception on RBKs (52.08%) and medium information sharing behaviour (56.25%) and the chi-square were done to know the siginificance difference. From the above results it is clear that most of the farmers were belonged to medium to high level so there is a need to enhance their knowledge and use of digital technologies which helps to provide better connections and communication among these farmers to get up-to-date information with the latest agricultural practices and innovations. Regarding stakeholders most of them belonged to medium to high level because it enables them to access and disseminate information more effectively by using digital tools and also helps in bridging the information gap. This dual approach will facilitate a more integrated and efficient agricultural information system, ultimately benefiting the entire agricultural community.