MSc

The present study under the title "Multidimensional study on Special
Component Plan schemes for the scheduled caste farm families" was
undertaken to assess the perception and attitude of scheduled caste farm
families towards the S.C.P. schemes of the Department of Agriculture, Kerala
and also to assess the acceptance of S.C.P. scheme by the scheduled caste
families. The factors influencing the perception and attitude of scheduled
castes towards the S.C.P. scheme and acceptance of S.C.P. schemes by the
scheduled castes and constraints perceived by the scheduled castes in the
acceptance of S.C.P. scheme were also assessed in the study. Two hundred
numbers of scheduled caste of different I.H.D.P. habitats from 7 Krishi Bhavans
in Palakkad District who were the beneficiaries of the S. C. P. scheme of
Agriculture Department in the year 1994-95 were selected as the respondents
for the study. Data were collected using interview schedule and suitable
statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of data.
Four major schemes under Special Component Plan namely the scheme
for distribution of coconut seedlings, scheme for distribution of pepper
cuttings, scheme for distribution of agricultural implements and scheme for
distribution of vegetable seeds were selected for detailed study. The result of
the perception of scheduled castes about the total S.C.P. scheme revealed that


58 per cent beneficiaries were distributed below the average perception score.
Regarding the attitude, majority of the beneficiaries were having favourable
attitude towards the S.C.P. schemes. With regards to the total acceptance of
the scheme, 49 per cent beneficiaries were distributed above the average
acceptance score and 51 per cent were below the average acceptance score.
Comparison of the four S.C.P. schemes revealed that the highest
perception score was recorded for coconut seedlings and lowest for pepper
cuttings. Regarding the acceptance of the scheme, the scheme for distribution
of agricultural implements was highly accepted by the beneficiaries followed
by vegetable seeds, coconut seedlings and pepper cuttigns in the descending
order.
With regard to the personal, economic and socio-psychological factors
of the respondents influencing perception, attitude and acceptance, majority
of the respondents were above the average age of 48 years. Among the
sampled respondents, 13 per cent were illiterate and the remaining 87 per
cent had achieved education up to different levels. Most of the literate farmers
had schooling from 1-5 years. A good majority of them had the farm size
below 15 cents and annual income below the average range of Rs. 4313.
More than half of the scheduled caste farm families had farming
experience of below 20 years and a good majority of them were employed as
agricultural labourers. Majority of the scheduled castes had low socil
participation, very low economic motivation, below average achievement
motivation, low level of aspiration and also less information seeking behaviour.
With regard to cosmopoliteness, 50 per cent of them had social participation




and 50 per cent of them had no social participation and most of them were
having extension orientation above the average.
Relationship of the personal, economic and socio-psychological factors
with the perception, attitude and acceptance showed that a positive and
significant relationship exists between perception and factors such as education,
social participation, economic motivation, achievement motivation, information
seeking behaviour and level of aspiration. Regarding the attitude all other
factors except cosmopoliteness and education were negatively and significantly
correlated. In the case of acceptance, a positive and significant relationship
exists with education, social participation, economic motivation, achievement
motivation, cosmopoliteness, extension orientation, information seeking
behaviour and level of aspiration.
Study on different characteristics of perception shows that a good
majority of scheduled caste beneficiaries had very well developed awareness
about the scheme for distribution of coconut seedlings and vegetable seeds
were perceived to be very easy for them to cultivate. Regarding the
profitability, vegetable seed was perceived to be highly profitable than coconut
seedlings and agricultural implements and rooted pepper cuttings was perceived
to be least profitable. In the case of suitability, agricultural implements
supplied were perceived to be more suitable in their situations than coconut
seedlings and vegetable seeds. The least suitability recorded for pepper
cuttings. With regards to usefulness of the scheme, the agricultural implements
supplied were perceived to be more useful and the supply of pepper cuttings
were perceived to be least useful for them.


Study on acceptance and non-acceptance of individual practices by
the scheduled caste families showed that about 15 per cent of them had not
utilized the planting materials like coconut seedlings, pepper cuttings and
vegetable seeds for planting or sowing purpose, even though 100 per cent of
them had received the components. Majority of the beneficiaries were satisfied
with the quality of components received and a good majority of them had not
accepted the practices like application of manures and fertilizers, P.P. chemicals
and irrigation. It was also observed that 60 per cent of the beneficiaries had
utilized the agricultural implements supplied under the scheme.
The results of the constraint analysis revealed the need for location
specific and problem-oriented S.C.P. schemes, timely supply of planting
materials and other inputs, necessary technical intervention and supervision
by the extension agencies, financial assistance and need for remunerative
nature of S.C.P. schemes.
The results also pointed out the need for proper monitoring and
evaluation of S. C. P. schemes and participatory planning and implementation
of S. C. P. schemes for accomplishing the cherished goals.