MSc

Modern agriculture has been successful in meeting the increased needs of population, but the problems associated with it are high cost of external inputs, destruction of natural eco-systems and stagnated yield levels. Hence the current thrust is on eco-friendly farm technologies, whose objective is to minimise the use of external inputs to prevent degradation of eco-system. Farmers’ Field School (FFS) have been found to be an efficient mechanism for promotion of eco-friendly farm technologies and it involves non-formal learner centred educational process which is predominantly skill based.

The study primarily intended to assess the impact of eco-friendly farm technologies in rice disseminated through FFS approach. It also attempted to explore the factors influencing adoption of eco-friendly farm technologies in rice and elucidate the constraints encountered by the participant farmers. The study also tried to prescribe suggestions to overcome these constraints. The findings of the study would help farmers formulate appropriate interventions to create awareness on ecofriendly farming and promote sustainable development.

The study was conducted in the Palakkad district of Kerala State. Five FFSs were selected based on the opinion of the Programme Coordinator of KVK, Palakkad. Twenty farmers were selected from each FFS through simple random sampling method to make the sample size 100. A pretested interview schedule was used for data collection.

The results revealed that 61 per cent of the respondents had medium knowledge level on eco-friendly farm technologies with Mean Score Index (MSI) of 66.54. Out of the practices identified, application of Pseudomonas was ranked first with MSI of 70.83 followed by application of Trichoderma (67.50), application of neem based pesticides and bio pesticides (64.33), use of light traps (62.50), use of Trichogramma cards (61.75), use of pheromone traps (59.50), application of PGPR (30.00) and use of Beauveria (29.00). Majority of the respondents reported medium level of adoption of eco-friendly farm technologies (70%), in which application of Pseudomonas was reported by 82 per cent, followed by Trichoderma (76%), and Trichogramma cards (76%), pheromone traps (72%), neem pesticides and bio pesticides (72%), light traps (49%) application of Beauveria (31%) and PGPR (29%).

With regard to perceived environmental impact, increased knowledge about soil testing was ranked first with a mean score of 82.66 followed by favourable attitude towards conservation of natural enemies (72.33) and knowledge on toxicity of pesticides (59.33). In case of economic impact, decrease in the use of labour ranked first with a mean score of 93.66 followed by decrease in cost of cultivation (79.66), increase in income level of farmers (77.66), change in the price of the product (33.66) and improved marketability of the produce (33.66).

With respect to technological impact, reduction in consumption of pesticides was ranked first with a mean score of 76.66 followed by improved knowledge about IPM/INM (74.66), orientation towards improved crop management practices (72.33), and shift towards conservation of environment (66.00). With regard to social impact, increase in sharing of experiences and key learnings were ranked first with a mean score of 86.66, followed by increase in social contacts (80.66), increased participation in training (79.66) and joint responsibility in resource conservation (65.33).

Correlation of the profile characteristics with knowledge and adoption shows that education, innovativeness, scientific orientation, extension participation, institutional support, mass media utilization, number of trainings attended and group interaction exhibited positive and significant relationship with knowledge and adoption of ecofriendly farm technologies. On the other hand, characteristics like age, annual income, land holding, farming experience, and group cohesiveness had nonsignificant relationship with the knowledge and adoption of eco-friendly farm technologies.

The major constraints encountered in adoption were low marketability, inadequate price, complexity of technology, non-availability of inputs, lack of knowledge and skill, low applicability, community participation and adulteration of inputs. The constraints could be overcome by imparting knowledge and skills, creating awareness, subsidizing supply of inputs at right time, technology assessment and refinement and ensuring adequate price.

Eco-friendly technologies promoted through FFS had shown positive impact on reducing the consumption of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, increase in yield and income levels and decrease in cost of cultivation. In the light of these findings, Department of Agriculture should plan for more number of FFS on other crops and extend FFS approach to other areas of the state as well.