Analyzing the Utilization of Rythu Bharosa Kendra Services by Tribal Farmers in Andhra Pradesh Region, India

Abstract

The study explored the extent of utilization of RBK services by tribal farmers in the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and West godavari. This research involves 120 respondents from 12 villages namely Peddapuram, Doravalasa, Dolliguda, and Pedalabudu from Araku mandal of Visakhapatnam; Gochekka, Tonki, Adaru, and Budhuruvada from Parvathipuram Mandal of Vizianagaram; Sithapagudem, Tellamvarigudem, Doramamidi and K.R Puram from Buttaigudem of West Godavari were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using statistical methods like frequency, percentage, mean score. Services of RBKs are categorized into rendering input services, capacity-building services, marketing services, consultancy services and veterinary services to conduct reliable study. The study’s key findings reported that among the six RBK service categories, marketing services were the most used by farmers, with mean scores between 2.68 and 2.87. Capacity building and holistic services followed, scoring between 2.44–2.63 and 2.21–2.27, respectively. Input services showed moderate use (1.92–2.12), while consultancy (1.85–1.96) and veterinary services (1.27–1.53) were the least utilized.In overall, a significant majority of farmers, approximately 67.5%, exhibited a moderate level of utilization of Rythu Bharosa Kendras' services. This was followed by 17.5% of farmers who displayed a low level of service utilization, while the remaining 15% had a high extent of utilization.