Evaluating the Impact of KVK’s Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI) Interventions on Farmers’ Additional Income in North Karnataka, India

Abstract

The study evaluates the impact of Doubling Farmers' Income (DFI) interventions by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) on additional income generation to farmers in North Karnataka. An Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the investigation. The study was conducted in Vijayapura (I & II) and Bagalkot districts of North Karnataka during 2023. From each district two talukas were purposively selected based on the availability of highest numbers of farmers who have adopted the technologies promoted by KVK. The study focused on key interventions: Varietal interventions and DFI interventions. The list of beneficiary farmers was obtained from the KVK’s of Vijayapura (I & II) and Bagalkot. The farmers who have adopted pigeon pea technologies varietal interventions and DFI interventions were selected through purposive sampling technique at the rate of 40 farmers for each KVK viz., Vijayapura, Indi and Bagalkot. Thus, constituting a total sample of 120. The data were collected primarily through a pre-tested structured interview schedule. Benefit cost ratio was calculated by using the formula net returns divided by total cost. Findings revealed that the average additional income was found to be highest in farmers who have adopted goat and sheep as subsidiary occupation with B:C ratio more than 3.50. The adoption of improved breeds of cow and buffalo by beneficiaries had boost their additional income with B:C ratio more than 2.0. The results also witnessed that additional income by both dairy and sheep & goat was highest in KVK Bagalkot beneficiaries as compare to other two KVKs. The results underscore the effectiveness of KVK interventions in enhancing farm profitability and highlight the need for sustained support in agricultural extension services. Strengthening the access to improved technologies, training programs and market linkages will help maximize the economic benefits of these interventions.