Impact of non-formal trainings regarding soil and water conservation technologies on farmers of Mahi ravine area in Gujarat state

摘要

The action research study on non-formal trainings to needy farmers was carried out during 2003 to 2006 in villages of Mahi ravine area under Anand and Baroda districts of Gujarat state with the objective to increase the knowledge and adoption behaviour towards Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) technologies for ravine reclamation. The pre-training status of fanners regarding knowledge, symbolic adoption and adoption was moderate, low and very low level, respectively. Under the study, Target Groups (TGs) of farmers were imparted non-formal trainings on ravine reclamation during 2003-2006 through the selected individual, group and mass contact extension training methods to impart knowledge, skills and motivate fanners about different ravine reclamationSWC technologies for promoting adoption. Consequently, farmers of Mahi ravine area initiated different soil and water conservation practices by their own efforts on their farms. The post-training status of farmers was also evaluated and it was found that the knowledge level of farmers regarding SWC technologies improved from moderate to high level; symbolic adoption increased from low to moderate level; and the actual adoption of soil and water conservation technologies also improved from very low to moderate level. The overall impact of the non-formal trainings on targeted farmers was measured quantitatively with the help of the Training Index (TI) and 30.1% improvement was observed.