Abstract:
A study was undertaken to analyse the effectiveness of NGOs in transfer
of technology for rural development. It also aimed to identify the major programmes
conducted by the selected NGOs and its consequences. The study was carried out in
two selected NGOs, Kuriakose Elias Service Society (KESS) and Apex Voluntary
Association for Rural Development (AVARD) of Thrissur district of Kerala during
1995-96. The sample selected for the study consisted of 100 beneficiaries, 60 non-
beneficiaries, 30 NGO workers and 30 workers of other development agencies in
Thrissur District.
The study revealed that the major programmes of the NGOs were agri-
cultural, health, HRD, community development and industrial and trade promotion
programmes. The programmes consisted of components which aim at the desired
changes like behavioural, health and hygiene, education, employment generation,
ecological preservation, community development, leadership development, economic
improvement, saftey and security, welfare, technology, self-reliance etc. which in
general aimed at the overall development of rural community.
Ninety per cent of the beneficiaries considered the consequences of
programmes of NGOs as most beneficial to them. On analysing the respondents
evaluative perception about the effectiveness of the NGOs, seventy three per cent of
beneficiaries, twenty seven per cent of non-beneficiaries and ninety per cent of NGO
workers and seventy per cent of development workers rated the NGOS as most effec-
tive in rural development work.
Significant characteristics of beneficiaries to predict their evaluative
perception about the NGOs were farm size, annual income, level of aspiration and
attitude towards NGOs.
The beneficiaries of NGOs was significantly different from
non-beneficiaries with regard to their farm size, extension contact, organisational
participation, level of aspiration and attitude towards NGOs.
The major constraints the NGOs face in their work for rural development
were complexes of caste and religion among the rural people and lack of involve-
ment from beneficiaries.
The study draw attention to the emergent need of effective utilisation of
the experiences and services of NGOs for rural development.
