a study on the impact of the interventions made for gender

A Study on the Impact of the Interventions made for Gender Mainstreaming under the Extension Reforms Scheme

July 2015

Dr. K. Uma Rani Dr. N. Balasubramani

Ms. Swati Shah

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION MANAGEMENT

(An organization of Ministry of Agriculture, Gov. of India)

CONTENTS

S .No Details Page No

1 List of Tables and Figures I - III

2 Introduction 1 - 5

3 Review of Literature 6 - 13

4 Methodology 14 - 23

5 Results and Discussion 24 - 74

6 Conclusion and Recommendations 75 - 81

7 References 82 – 84

8 Annexures

I. Profile of the sample districts 85 – 91

II. Photographs of the respondents in action 92 – 93

III. Tables related to dimensions of impact index 94 – 112

IV. Interview Schedules 113 - 131

1

I. Introduction

Rural women, mainly farmers, number at least 1.6 billion worldwide, represent more

than a quarter of the total world population. Nearly half of the world’s farmers are women

and women comprise most of the agricultural workforce in developing countries. Women

produce on average more than half of all the food that is produced (up to 80% in Africa, 60%

in Asia; and 30 to 40 % in Latin America and Western countries).

The nature and extent of women’s involvement in agriculture varies greatly from

region to region. Even with in a region, their involvement varies widely among different

ecological subzones, farming systems, caste, classes and stages in the family cycle. But

regardless of these variations, there is hardly any area in agriculture where women are not

involved. Almost 94.0 percent of the labor force is constituted by female workers in crop

cereal production, 53.0 percent in sericulture, 47.0 percent in tea plantations, 46.84 percent

in cotton cultivation, 45.43 percent growing oil seeds, 39.13 percent in vegetable production,

21.0 percent in fisheries, 24.0 percent fish farmers and 3.72 percent were engaged in fruits,

nuts, beverages, and spice crops while 16.0 percent are involved in livestock rearing (CTDHBF,

2009). In addition, women own high stake in dairying where they account for 93.0 per cent of

total employment in dairy production (UN WOMEN, 2012).

Paradoxically, rural women’s contribution to building social and economic capital

remains concealed because they are invisible in plans and programs thereby denying them

access to resources which could enhance their socio-economic contribution to society.

Therefore women own only 2% of the land, and receive only 1 % of all agricultural credit,

while only 5 % of all agricultural extension resources are directed towards them. The

extremes of poverty and marginalization that the inequitable access to resources exposes

women to means that they are disproportionately exposed to “shocks” such as illness, death,

floods and drought.

Rural poverty is deeply rooted in imbalance between what women do and what they

have. Statistics show that almost 70% of economically active women in low-income food–

2

deficit countries are employed in the agricultural sector and, therefore, play crucial roles in

assuring food security. Despite this, rural women battle hunger and poverty on increasingly

marginal land with meager resources and their voices are seldom heard among decision

makers (FAO, 2007).

The rural-to-urban migration of men in search of paid employment and their rising

mortalities are said to be leading to increased numbers of female-headed households in the

developing world and in India this figure is around 11.0 percent (Census, 2011). This

‘feminization of agriculture’ has placed a considerable burden on women’s capacity to

produce, provide and prepare food in the face of considerable obstacles.

Despite the fact that women are the world’s principal food producers and providers,

they remain ‘invisible’ partners in development. Lack of gender disaggregated data means

that women’s contribution to agriculture in particular is poorly understood and their specific

needs ignored in development planning. This extends to matters as basic as the design of farm

tools. But women’s full potential in agriculture must be realized if the goal of the 1996 world

food summit - to have the number of hungry people in the world by 2015 – is to be achieved.

Agricultural extension programmes ensure that information on new technologies,

plant varieties and cultural practices reaches farmers. However, in the developing world it is

common practice to direct extension and training services primarily towards men. A recent

FAO survey showed that female farmers receive only five percent of all agricultural extension

services worldwide and that only 15 percent of the world's extension agents are women.

Studies on agricultural extension have highlighted a number of weaknesses in reaching

rural women. Traditionally, most extension services have been devoted to farmers who own

land and who are willing and able to obtain credit and invest it in inputs and technological

innovations. Since women often lack access to land or access to other collateral with which

to obtain credit, extension services, unintentionally, bypass women.

For too long, policies have been based on the assumption - proved wrong by studies -

that information conveyed to the male head of a household would be passed on to its female

members. But men do not necessarily discuss production decisions with their wives or

3

transfer extension knowledge to them. Furthermore, policy-makers fail to recognize that men

and women are often responsible for different crops, livestock, tasks and income-generating

activities and that their extension needs consequently differ.

Extension services usually focus on commercial production rather than on subsistence

crops, which are the primary concern of women farmers and also the key to food security in

developing countries. Extension agents will often choose to work with a few farmers judged

to have a progressive attitude, while neglecting the resource-poor and landless, including

women. To compound the problem, extension meetings are often scheduled at times when

women farmers are unable to attend because of their other household responsibilities.

As rural women are a vital link in agricultural development, it is essential that they

take their place alongside men as full participants in and beneficiaries of extension

programmes.

Extension Reforms

On the basis of experience gained during the implementation of the Extension

Reforms scheme from 2005 to 2009 the Government of India has revised the ongoing

Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms”

by modifying and strengthening the earlier Scheme.

The revised scheme provides for dedicated specialist and functionary support to take

up training and extension initiatives at State, District and Block level. Besides this,

improvement in extension outreach right down to the village level is expected to be achieved

through Farmer Friend.

The cost norms of selected ongoing activities have also been revised and some new

need-based activities have been introduced under ATMA Cafeteria, 2010.

As per the revised guidelines at least 50% beneficiaries must be small and marginal

Farmers and 30% beneficiaries should be women farmers / farm women. Minimum 30% of

resources meant for programmes and activities are required to be allocated to women

4

farmers and women extension functionaries. Specific documentation of expenditure on

women farmers activities and performance is also expected to be maintained by the

implementing authorities.

The guidelines have also made a provision for involvement of women farmers in all

decision making bodies of ATMA. The ATMA Governing Board (GB) is a policy making body

which provides guidance reviews and steers the progress and functioning of the ATMA. As

per the guidelines there should be thirty per cent of women farmer representatives on the

Governing Board of ATMA to ensure that their interests are fully represented. The ATMA

Management Committee (AMC) would be responsible for planning and execution of day-to-

day activities of ATMA. The composition of AMC is basically of all the heads of the

departments in the district, representatives of farmer’s organizations, NGO, bank and Project

Office of DRDA. A provision has been made to include two progressive farmers as committee

members out of which one should be a woman. The Block Farmers Advisory Committee

(BFAC) shall consists of 20-25 members covering different categories of farmers within the

given Block, with due representation to women farmers.

Objectives of the Extension Reforms Scheme

The revised scheme focuses on the following key extension reforms.

Providing innovative, restructured and autonomous institutions at the state/ district/

block level.

Encouraging multi-agency extension strategies involving Public/ Private Extension

Service Providers.

Ensuring an integrated, broad-based extension delivery mechanism consistent with

farming system approach.

Adopting group approach to extension in line with the identified needs and

requirements of the farmers in the form of Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs) and

Farmers Interest Groups (FIGs)

Facilitating convergence of programmes in planning, execution and implementation.

Addressing gender concerns by mobilizing farm women into groups and providing

training to them.

Moving towards sustainability of extension services through beneficiary contribution.

5

Need for the study Since the revised guidelines (2010) are under implementation for more than 4 years

with specific provision for women farmer’s activities, it is felt that there is a need to assess

the impact of ATMA’s initiatives on women farmers. In view of this “An impact study on

Interventions made for Gender Mainstreaming under the Extension Reforms Scheme” is

proposed to study various field/extension activities undertaken by ATMAs to empower

women in agriculture and allied sectors, identify the constraints in implementation of

activities for the target group and suggest measures for improving extension services for the

women in agriculture and allied activities.

Objectives of the study: The objectives of the study are as follows:

The overall objective is to assess the impact of the ATMA interventions on women

farmers.

The specific objectives are:

To identify the activities implemented under ATMA, using the 30 % fund allocated.

To understand the processes adopted for identifying the women farmers’/ women

groups’ needs and corresponding activities

To examine the role-played by women farmers’ representatives in decision making

bodies, ex; Block Farmers Advisory Committee (BFAC) and Governing Board (GB) of

ATMA.

To analyze the impact of ATMA activities on women farmers

To suggest appropriate measures so as to improve the effectiveness of the scheme

further.

6

II. Review of Literature

1. Status of Women in Agriculture and Allied Activities

Out of the twelve practices studied men were involved more than women in eight

practices and vice-versa in the remaining four practices, the study conduct by Suguna and

Subramanyan (2000) revealed that farm operations are sex specific. The tasks assigned to

men were demanding greater physical power and skill for performance whereas the tasks

assigned to women were demanding less physical power, lower skills and monotonous.

Gupta and Kaur 2008 conducted a study on role of women in the economically

vulnerable households with special reference to dairying in Biejapuri block of Agra district,

Uttar Pradesh and reported that women’s participation was 100 per cent in milk processing,

making cow dung cakes and feeding young calves and cleaning sheds, 70.00 per cent in

milking of buffaloes/cow and in soaking and boiling concentrates, 50.00 per cent in cleaning

and bathing the buffaloes, offering the concentrate mixture and harvesting and bringing of

fodder from fields, 40.00 per cent in feeding fodder and 20.00 per cent in sale of milk and

grazing of buffaloes/ cows. It can be observed from the above studies that majority of the

farm women participated in those activities that were carried outside the public domain.

Singh and Sengupta, 2009 reported that 94.0% of the female agricultural labor force

involved in cereal production, while 1.40% worked in vegetable production, and 3.72% were

engaged in fruits, nuts, beverages, and spice crops. Further women's participation rate in the

agricultural sectors is about 47.0% in tea plantations, 46.84% in cotton cultivation, 45.43%

growing oil seeds and 39.13% in vegetable production.

Chayal, 2010 conducted a study in Bundi district of Rajasthan to analyze the

participation of women in agriculture found that cutting, picking, cleaning of grains, drying of

grains, storage and processing are the major farm operations wherein women participation

was 100 percent. In winnowing, weeding, gap filling, grading, shifting produce to threshing

floor and cleaning the participation of women was more than 75.0 percent. The tasks in which

women participation was varied between 50.0-75.0 percent were thrashing, raising nursery

for seedlings and thinning. The results also show that 25 to 32.5 percent of sowing, manure

7

application and irrigation were performed by women. Least involvement of farm women was

found in ploughing of field (2.0%) and in fertilizer application (1.0%). There was no

participation of women reported in marketing and plant protection measures.

Nain and Kumar, 2010 revealed that extent of women involvement was maximum in

operations like weeding and harvesting (96.66%) followed by transplanting (93.33%),storage

(71.66%),threshing (45%) and arranging seeds (43.33%). There was a least involvement of

farm women in field preparation (38.33%), marketing (23.33%), sowing and irrigation (20%)

and application of fertilizers (11.66%). The farm women face constraints like non-availability

of inputs on time (88.33%), low price of produce (86.66%) and less involvement in decision

making (76.66%). Farm women also reported heavy drudgery level in operations like field

preparation, threshing and marketing.

FAO, 2011 reported that during 2010 India constituted 48.4 percent of female

population and among these 69.9 percent were residing in the rural areas. Further 28.6

percent of the female were economically active and their agriculture share was 61.8 percent.

It was also found that from the economically active population the total agriculture share was

54.4 percent and among which 32.4 percent comes from women workers.

UN WOMEN, 2012 reported that 79.0 per cent of rural female workers are still in

agriculture, 60.0 percent women in fisheries and higher proportion of women (16.0 per cent)

relative to men (3 per cent) are involved in livestock.

Chittedi and Dommati, 2012 in their study showed that female work participation rate

has declined and season wise irrigation facility is the main factor that determines the

employment and wages of the agricultural women labor. In Andhra Pradesh, male

participation was more in categories of cultivators and other workers whereas, female

participation rate was more for the category of agricultural laborers and household industry,

but the rate was less in the case of cultivators and other workers.

Borkakoty, 2013 reported that all farm women were involved in operation like cutting,

picking, drying of grains, cleaning of grains, storage and processing. More than 75.0 percent

women were involved in operation like cleaning of field, weeding, gap filling, shifting

8

production to threshing field, winnowing and in grading. Women participation varied

between 50 – 75.0 percent in operations like raising nursery, thinning and threshing. The

result also showed that operations like sowing, manure application and irrigation were

performed on field by 25 to 32.5 percent women. Further it was revealed that only 1.92

percent of farm women involved in ploughing of field followed by fertilizer application (1.0%),

plant protection measure (0.72%) and in marketing (0.72%).

2. Role Played by Women in Decision Making in Farm Related Activities

Gupta et al.1999 analyzed the data regarding the participation of women in decision

making related to agriculture and allied activities in Uttar Pradesh and reported that only 13.0

percent women were consulted for preparation of land and only 10.0 percent of these

opinions were considered. The overall pattern of decision making showed that 62.0 percent

of the decisions were took by husband alone and women participation was only 10.50

percent.

Saikia in 1999 conducted a study in Assam to assess the involvement of women in

decision making process and found that in male headed households, 15.0 to 34.0 percent of

the female played major roles in decision making where their decisions were accepted in

regard to farm production activities, 33 to 47 percent of them played an equal role along with

the males and 18.0 to 52.0 percent of them had only a minor role. The proportion of females

playing a major or equal role was highest in the selection of crop variety, while financial

matters, the involvement of females was relatively less.

Singh and Singh, 1999 conducted a study to analyze the impact of women participation

in agriculture work and their role in decision making process about economic and household

matters in Chamoli and Almora districts of Uttrakhand. The study revealed that though the

women performed more than four- fifth of the agricultural work, their decisions were

accepted only in less than one – third of the cases. The power to take or influence the

decisions by farm women were found to be high in the matters related to seed selection (29.0

%), purchase of agricultural implements (30.0%) and sale and purchase of livestock (34.0%).

Tuteja, 2000 based on the study in Haryana state concluded that decision making of

farm women about sales and purchase of land was positively related to farm size i, e. higher

9

the size of farm better the involvement. Farm women of the big households involved in the

decision on farm credits (61.54%) and on sale and purchase of animals (77.0%). The

participation of female labourers in decision making was poor in those fields where women

had low exposure such as variety to be sown, farm credits and marketing of products.

Parveen, 2007 conducted a study in three villages of Mymensingh, Bangladesh to

study the farm women’s participation in agricultural decision-making. The results showed that

the farm women’s the participation in decision-making on agricultural aspects was limited.

Decisions regarding selling agricultural products were ranked first followed by technology

adoption, land acquisition.

Gowda and Gowda, 2010 revealed that majority of dairy farmwomen took decisions

jointly with the husband / male member regarding dairy management practices. Among the

decisions taken by the farmwomen, 31.90 per cent of the farmwomen were taking decision

to sell the quantum of milk after keeping for home consumption followed by area under green

fodder (13.40%) and quantity of feed and roughages (11.70%).

Chayalet al. 2013 in her study found the very low involvement of farm women in

decision making in agriculture. Results indicated that marketing of agri-inputs and farm

produce (9.17%), manure/ fertilizer selection (10.0%) and manure/ fertilizer application

(12.5%) were the activities wherein involvement was minimum whereas it was 51.17 percent

in harvesting operations and 40.83 percent in preparation of the fields. Illiteracy, little

knowledge about the latest techniques of farming, dominance by males and restricted

mobility due to several cultural taboos were the main factors involved in the low decision

making of women in agriculture.

3. Impact of Extension Programmes / Services on Women in Agriculture Kumari 2004 assess the impact of mutually aided cooperatives and found that there

was a significant increase in income generating activities and preferred activities for income

generation were in the field of business, animal husbandry and other trade categories like

farming and agribusiness activities. Apart from this there was an increase in their personal

savings and family social development.

10

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2004 in their report evaluated the impact of four major

training programmes in India on women in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Tamil

Nadu. In all the projects it was found that after participating in training projects more farm

women were involved in technical farming matters, marketing and decision making in farm

related operations. Besides this they joined women groups which resulted in more social

contacts, widening of the opportunities and positive change in their self-perception. Most of

these women groups involved in savings and credits, thus addressed practical needs of

women which has boosted their self-respect, sense of group belongingness and the respect

they won from bank and local officials.

Karkaret al., 2007 in their paper “Farm women’s behavior to agricultural entre-

preneurship on improved mango cultivation” indicated that three fourth (80.0%) trained farm

women belong to medium social participation and untrained (68.0%). Further extension

participation was also studied and found that 72.0 percent trained farm women had extension

contact whereas it was 68.0 percent for untrained farm women. Suggestions given for making

training more effective these were, training venue should be Farmers Training Centre (FTC),

time should be during- slack season, training method should be lecture with practical followed

by lecture with discussion and demonstration and field visits and preferred female teacher

for training.

Kripa and Surendranathan, 2008 studied the social and women empowerment in

Kerala through Mussel farming in Kerala. It was revealed that for adopting any technology

only training is not sufficient, there is also requirement of credit supply and group formation

(SHG’s), because of this only more than 3,000 women becoming owners of mussel farms,

which helped women overcome social inhibitions and prove their competence.

Nain and Kumar, 2010 studied the information sources use and the preferences of the

women for agricultural purposes. It was found that majority of them were relied either on

their husband (85%) or other members of the family (61.67%). Other women of the village

also seemed to be valid source of information and used by 31.67 per cent of the respondents.

Interaction with other agricultural professionals like university/KVK scientists (30.00 %), input

dealers (21.67 %) and extension staff of the state line department (11.67 %) was also

reported. Other than this it was noticed that radio and TV was being utilized by 32.0 percent

11

and 25.0 percent illiterates respectively whereas only 5.0 percent literate women utilize

printed material. Whereas women farmer did not perceive the importance of the information

sources as they used them, TV, radio, University/KVK scientists, extension staff of the line

department and input dealers were perceived as important source of information regarding

farm management

Gowda and Gowda, 2010 they surveyed the extension workers in Karnataka to find

out the most commonly used extension method by them and it was found that group

discussion method was most frequently used extension method to educate the farm women

in the village situation. Whereas dairy farm women expressed restrictions at home, suitability

of time, lack of women groups in the villages and pressure of household work were the major

constraints faced by them in participating group discussions.

Shankaraiah et al. 2012 studied the dissemination of the farm related information

through Mobile Message Service (MMS) in a rural area of Karnataka and indicated that

indicated that agricultural technologies on crop management(52.5%), marketing (80.0%),

Horticultural technologies on tissue culture (55.0%), floriculture (50.0%), veterinary

technologies on dairy (70.0%), poultry (52.50%) and others on weather information (77.50%)

were rated as more relevant technologies disseminated through the MMS network.

Singh and Jha, 2012 studied the impact of ATMA model in Bihar, and observed that

there was13.0 percent increase in the yield of crop along with an increase of farm income of

14.0 percent due to the adoption of new technologies, enhanced awareness, capacity and

development of skills about the modern production technologies and improved research-

extension-farmer linkage. It has also played an important role in empowerment of rural

women by imparting trainings to more than13.5 thousand women for enhancing their skills

and technical capabilities women in various relevant areas like cultivation of high-value crops

(vegetables, mushroom, medicinal and aromatic plants, etc.), modern technologies of dairy

farming, small-scale value addition e.g. sattu making, (floor of roasted chickpea, cereals, etc.),

mother & child care, etc. Overall there was improvement in the quality of life and

empowerment of farming community, including women leading to the sustainability of the

approach/ system and equity.

12

4. Strategies for reaching out Women Farmers Haffis and Reddy, 2000 suggested that intensive training programmes at village

panchayat level through a farmer’ training Centre not only produce an employment effect but

also bring empowerment to the farm women and surely resulted to better livelihood to all,

particularly for farm women.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2004 that village based training should be organized

instead of institutional trainings and there should be follow-up training for both female

farmers and extension staff, to mainstream gender in general extension services, training

sessions, workshops and a course in ‘gender issues’ should be conducted for male staff at all

levels and special provisions should be made for farm women and very poor farmer in the

market driven and privatized extension services.

ZarQuresh 2005 has mentioned in his paper “Role of Rural Women” that role of

women in agriculture sector is as important as men, therefore, women should educate

themselves in agriculture particularly in floriculture and food preservation.

Tiwari, 2010 based on the findings of the study conducted in Uttar Pradesh

recommended that farm women should have availability of agriculture inputs at reasonable

cost and at right time, convenient availability of sufficient loans, equal remuneration and

adequate training in the technological area related to farming so that the capabilities of farm

women will enhance.

Dewanganet al. 2011 in their study “Socio-Economic Empowerment of Tribal Women

through Sericulture” a Study of Lailunga Block of Raigarh District, Chhattisgarh, reported that

among the different activities performed by the women sericulture is the only activity in

which major part is done by women alone. And thus to make women economically

independent and empowered there is a need to focus on women friendly technologies,

training cum study visits to women and facilities for husbands to participate, create “Women

Development Fund” and provide interest subsidies on credit.

13

Anonymous 2012, in the global conference of women in agriculture it was discussed

that gender inequalities run right through agricultural system and action is required at all

levels from household and community up to national and international level. Thus priorities

were determined and these were collective advocacy to raise awareness of women needs in

agriculture, generating the evidence base to show the impact and values of addressing

women needs, spurring collective action and leadership among women to develop

programmes that directly meet women needs, addressing discrimination and women’s right

and measures to promote women’s ownership and control of resources.

Chittedi and Dommati, 2012 in their study made some suggestion to have gender

equity in agriculture. They said there should be equal pay for men and women for equal work,

equal rights to property and to common resources, agricultural rural women should be

considered as client of agricultural research and development programs or as users of

improved technology, irrigation facilities should be provided in un-irrigated areas. As gender

equity depends on how much rights women have over resources because of the position of

women in different spheres.

Sandu, et al, 2012 studied the barrier to finance experienced by female farmers. Due

to the feminization of agriculture government have to address the financial needs of farm

women especially the marginal farm women. They suggested, to realize the full potential of

women in agriculture, government, policy makers and financial institutions need to recognize

the emerging female customer and a greater need for education and information to enable

lending mangers to understand the needs of female farmers, especially in the absence of

collateral.

Sreelata and Naomi, 2012 suggested that for mainstreaming the women in agriculture

there is a need to build up women friendly tools and make them available to women farmers

at cheaper rates so that not only there is ending of invisibility of women contribution in

agriculture but also eliminating the drudgery that blights the lives of millions of working

women in agriculture around the world.

14

III. Methodology

Selection of the state

As per the information available with the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India,

out of 20 major states in the country where ATMA was implemented, six states were selected.

The criterial being both physical and financial performance indicators of the scheme during

2012-13. In all, seven such indicators (as given below), were considered and all the 20 major

states were ranked based on each of the indicators and finally based on the overall rank, all

the 20 states have been arranged and classified into three groups viz., high, medium and low

performance groups and from each group two states have been randomly chosen giving due

weightage to the regions. The states so selected are Assam (North East), Andhra Pradesh

(South), Jharkhand (East), Madhya Pradesh (Central), Maharashtra (West) and Uttarakhand

(North). (Statement-1 showing the rank position of 20 major states based on the composite

rank is at the end of this section).

Physical achievement of farmer oriented activities,

Financial achievement of farmer oriented activities,

Financial achievement of farm information dissemination activities,

Financial achievement of agriculture technology refinement activities,

Financial achievement for farm school,

Financial achievement for implementing extension activities through agri-

entrepreneur and

Financial achievement for recruiting farmer friend.

Selection of the District and Block

One district from each selected state and three to six blocks/mandals from each

selected district were selected randomly for the study. Two cover the required sample size

two districts were selected in Andhra Pradesh. The names of the blocks/mandals covered in

the study are given in statement-2

15

Statement 1: Rank table of 20 major states

State %

training

mandays

%

trg

%

Farm

Diss

%

Techno-

logy

%

Farm

school

%

Imple- by

ACABC

candi.

%

Farm

Friend

Rank

trg

Mandays

Rank_

trg_

Exp

Rank_

Farm_

Diss

Rank_

Techno-

logy

Rank

Farm

school

Rank

Imple-

mentation

Rank

Farmer

Friend

Total

Rank

(col.9to15)

Total

Rank

of

Col.17

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Maharashtra 180.79 98.51 92.42 75.39 97.69 81.92 91.44 2 2 2 6 1 1 4 18 1

Jharkhand 97.04 95.27 92.65 94.03 95.43 77.66 5 4 1 1 2 11.5 5 29.5 2

Gujarat 182.13 102.07 71.62 80.00 94.87 75.22 1 1 9 4 3 11.5 6 35.5 3

Rajasthan 96.69 70.23 82.79 80.67 70.85 51.59 6 10 3 3 10 11.5 9 52.5 4

HP 96.41 93.93 75.64 79.98 91.61

7 5 7 5 4 11.5 16.5 56 5

Orissa 91.40 78.22 79.5 14.88 68.98 100.00 8 7 4 19 12 11.5 1.5 63 6

Kanata 133.74 97.46 30.32 40.77 71.91 2.05

3 3 17 13 9 2 16.5 63.5 7.5

MP 75.26 78.73 68.99 60.63 89.91 31.95 11 6 10 10 5 11.5 10 63.5 7.5

AP 84.98 76.42 73.49 62.32 33.10 100.00 9 8 8 9 18 11.5 1.5 65 9

Haryana 104.34 57.96 41.61 92.25 82.91

4 12 16 2 6 11.5 16.5 68 10

Chhattis 71.14 75.74 78.35 58.88 62.98 65.6 12 9 6 11 15 11.5 7 71.5 11

Bihar 57.26 51.84 78.62 67.30 66.65

14 13 5 8 13 11.5 16.5 81 12

UP 45.36 47.80 55.27 68.02 73.49

17 14 13 7 8 11.5 16.5 87 13

Kerala 80.89 60.21 59.52 44.27 53.25

10 11 12 12 16 11.5 16.5 89 14

TN 41.96 27.73 52.56 30.2 70.35 96.82 18 20 14 17 11 11.5 3 94.5 15

Assam 54.72 44.39 6.57 34.81 82.73 5.62 15 15 20 16 7 11.5 11 95.5 16

Punjab 70.04 32.46 62.33 27.58 37.78 54.35 13 19 11 18 17 11.5 8 97.5 17

J & K 50.68 35.17 48.00 35.22 4.80 1.50 16 17 15 15 20 11.5 12 106.5 18

Uttara 38.52 42.85 29.38 36.46 64.45

20 16 18 14 14 11.5 16.5 110 19

WB 38.57 33.15 18.68 8.05 6.39

19 18 19 20 19 11.5 16.5 123 20

16

Statement 2: Coverage of Sample

S.N

o State District Block(s)

No. of

Women

farmers

covered

No. of women

farmer

representatives

No. of

Extension

Functionaries

1 Jharkhand

East

Singhbum

Potka

80

7

7 Chakuliya

Ghatsila

2 Maharashtra

Satara

Phaltan

80

7

7 Satara

Koregaon

Karad

3 Madhya

Pradesh

Hoshanga

bad

Kesla

80

7

7 Hoshangabad

Seonimalwa

4

Andhra

Pradesh

East

Godavari

Ramchandrapuram

40

7

7 P.Gannavaram

Pitapuram

Alamuru

West

Godavari

Elluru

40

7

7 Tadepallegudem

Bhimavaram

Chintalapudi

5 Assam

Darrang

Bechimari

70

7

7 Pub Mangaldoi

Dalgaonsilamari

6

Uttarakhand

Dehradun

Raipur

67

7

7

Vikanagar

Doiwala

Sahaspur

Kalsi

Total 457 37 37

17

Respondents for the Study:

For the purpose of the study, three different groups of respondents such as, women farmers

engaged in ATMA activities; women farmer representatives on the Governing Body of ATMA,

DFAC and BFAC; and extension officials implementing ATMA.

Sample selection: The procedure followed for selection of each respondent group is spelt out

below:

a. Selection of women farmers: From each selected block a list of women farmers who

have been exposed to the ATMA interventions during 2012-13 was prepared. From

these lists 65-80 women farmer beneficiaries were selected randomly for collection of

the data through personal interviews. Though the sample size for each district was

fixed at 65-80 women farmers, this number could not be reached in some districts

due to the variations in the coverage of women farmers in ATMA activities.

b. Selection of Women Farmer Representatives: From each district a total of six women

farmers, representing the Governing Board (GB) of ATMA, District Farmers’ Advisory

Committee (DFAC) and Block Farmers’ Advisory Committee (BFAC) were selected

randomly. A total of 36 women farmer representatives were interviewed for the

study.

c. Selection of the Extension Officials: From each state, six extension officials were

selected for the interviews and they included Project Director (ATMA), BTM,

Programme Coordinator of KVK and the officials of allied department involved in

implementation of extension activities for women farmers under ATMA. A total of 36

officials were interviewed for the study. Statement-2 gives the details of the samples

selected.

18

STATES SELECTED FOR THE STUDY

1

2

3

1

4

5

4

6

19

DISTRICTS SELECTED FOR THE STUDY

(East Singhbum, Jharkhand)

(Satara,Maharashtra)

20

(East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh)

(West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh)

21

(Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh)

(Dehradun, Uttarakhand)

22

(Darrang, Assam)

Data collection:

Separate interview schedules were prepared for the women farmers, women farmer

representatives of the committees and extension officials of ATMA. These interview

schedules were pretested in the field which helped to fine-tune the questions. Besides

personal interviews, ‘Focus Group Discussions meetings ' were conducted wherever possible.

Secondary data concerning ATMA were collected from various records and

registers maintained at district and state levels of the study states.

A team of research staff comprising Research Fellow and three field Investigators- with

experience in data collection at community level and well versed in local language

participated in data collection along with the faculty of MANAGE. Thorough training was given

to the field investigators on the concepts used in the schedules, before they were put on the

job of data collection.

23

Data analysis

The socio-economic particulars of sample women farmers and others are discussed

using simple percentages. For capturing the status/ reactions of the respondents on/ to

various impact dimensions including social participation, technological/ skill upgradation

etc. a three- point scale was adopted consisting of cues like unfavourable, neutral and

favourable with scores of 1, 2 and 3 respectively. To facilitate discussion, average scores

are computed of respondents on each dimension for each state. However, as the data related

to the samples only, randomly drawn from the (respective populations), a statistical test-

Analysis of Variance, was carried out to test whether all the states (sample women farmers)

are on the same footing on a given dimension or they differ. The five dimensions that were

considered for analysis include social participation, technological and skill upgradation,

economic impact, psychological and managerial impact and improvement in extension

services. Appropriate statistical inferences were drawn based on the value of F-ratio

computed in respect of each dimension.

24

IV. Results and Discussions

In accordance with the objectives, the results have been presented under various sections:

1. General profile of the respondents

2. Activities implemented

3. Process adopted for identifying needs and activities

4. Role-played by women farmers’ representatives in decision making bodies

5. Impact of ATMA on women farmers

1. GENERAL PROFILE OF THE RESPONDENTS

A. Profile of the women farmers:

Table 1 reveals the socio-economic profile of the women farmer respondents. A total of 457

respondents were covered in the study and it was found that the majority of the women

farmer respondents age was about 38 years. It was found from state wise analysis that the

mean age ranges from 33 to 41 years. Looking at the education parameter data shows that

most of the respondents (30.9%) were having an education up to high school and a similar

pattern was found in Assam (50.0), Maharashtra (38.8%) and Andhra Pradesh (33.8%).

Whereas the largest number of illiterate respondents were found in Madhya Pradesh (62.5%)

followed by Jharkhand (23.8%) as most of the respondents were belonging to the tribal

population. More than half (62.4%) of the respondents belong to nuclear families. In all the

states proportion of respondents belonging to nuclear and joint families was almost equal,

but in states like Assam (87.1%), Andhra Pradesh (76.2%) and Jharkhand (60.0%) majority of

the respondents were from joint families. The difference was found very high in case of Assam

this might be, because in the selected district, for many years government has been running

many programmes for education and family planning which lead to significant adoption of

the birth control methods (S. Rezia, 2013). It was also found that majority of the respondents

were married and only 6.12 percent were unmarried, widow and divorced.

Parameters like household income, land holding and women ownership to land were

considered in assessing the economic status of the respondents. It was found that the average

annual income of the households of sample states was Rs 94,350 where a major proportion

of the income was coming from farm activities (Rs.84,844) in comparison to non-farm

activities (Rs 34,890). In Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Maharashtra the annual income

25

Table 1: Socio economic profile of the women farmers

S No State

Parameter

Andhra Pradesh (n=80)

Assam (n=70)

Jharkhand (n=80)

Madhya Pradesh (n=80)

Maharashtra (n=80)

Uttarakhand (n=67)

Total (N=457)

1 Mean Age (years) 37 33 36 40 41 41 38

2 Education

Illiterate 16 (20.0) 10 (14.3) 19 (23.8) 50 (62.5) 10 (12.5) 02 (3.0) 107 (23.4)

Able to read Write 03 (3.8) 01 (1.4) 07 (8.8) 04 (5.0) 02 (2.5) 03 (4.5) 20 (4.4)

Primary 18 (22.5) 20 (28.6) 25 (31.2) 19 (23.8) 13 (16.2) 23 (34.3) 118 (25.8)

High school 27 (33.8) 35 (50.0) 23 (28.8) 7 (8.8) 31 (38.8) 16 (23.9) 139 (30.4)

Intermediate 09 (11.2) 04 (5.7) 03 (3.8) 0 (0) 15 (18.8) 12 (17.9) 43 (9.4)

Diploma 01 (1.2) 0 (0) 02 (2.5) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 03 (0.7)

Graduate and above 06 (7.5) 0 (0) 01 (1.2) 0 (0) 09 (11.2) 11 (16.4) 27 (5.9)

3 Mean Income (Rs)

Total income 1,01,525 1,36,799 44,256 88,850 1,30,263 64,933 94,350

Farm income 89,450 1,01,293 39,641 72,381 1,52,688 50,007 84,844

Non-farm income 37,152 69,039 14,200 21,442 61,000 25,897 34,890

4 Family type

Joint 19 (23.8) 9 (12.9) 32 (40.0) 40 (50.0) 43 (53.8) 29 (43.3) 172 (37.6)

Nuclear 61 (76.2) 61 (87.1) 48 (60.0) 40 (50.0) 37 (46.2) 38 (56.7) 285 (62.4)

5 Marital Status

Married 75 (93.8) 66 (94.3) 71 (88.8) 77 (96.2) 75 (93.8) 61 (91.0) 425 (93.0)

Unmarried, Widow Divorced 05 (6.25) 04 (5.71) 05 (6.2) 03 (3.75) 05 (6.25) 06 (8.95) 28 (6.12)

6 Household land holding mean (acres)

Wet land owned 6.2 2.1 1.7 5.0 4.2 1.2 3.3

Wet land leased 3.7 1.1 2.6 3.8 2.8 1.1 2.9

Wet land operational 6.0 2.1 1.8 5.0 4.4 1.2 3.4

Dry land owned 3 1.2 1.6 4.1 2.6 2.6 2.5

Dry land operational 3 1.5 1.6 3.8 2.4 2.0 2.3

7 Land owned by women (acres)

Number of women owning land 23 (28.75) 13 (18.57) 09 (11.25) 19 (23.7) 27 (33.75) 6 (8.95) 97 (21.22)

Average land holding 2.72 0.75 1.56 3.7 1.3 0.56 2.0

8 Farming experience (years) 15 10 17 18 15 17 16

9 Social group

Member 72 (90.0) 60 (875.71) 54 (67.5) 49 (61.25) 64 (80.0) 56 (83.58) 355 (77.68)

Non member 08 (10.0) 10 (14.28) 26 (32.75) 31 (38.75) 16 (20.0) 11 (16.41) 102 (22.31)

26

was coming from farm activities (Rs.84,844) in comparison to non-farm activities (Rs 34,890). In

Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Maharashtra the annual income of the households was above one

Lakh whereas for Uttarakhand (Rs. 64,933) and Jharkhand (Rs. 44,256) it was found lowest. The

reason for having high annual income in Andhra Pradesh and Assam could be due to fertile lands,

good irrigation facility, low mechanization cost. In case of Maharashtra it was found that more

focus was on allied activities and irrigation facilities were increased during the past years. The

major reason for having low annual income in Jharkhand were irrigation problem, small land

holdings and low education level as most of them belong to tribal area, whereas in Uttarakhand

major cause of low annual income was high cost of mechanization or labour. On an average it

was found that 3.4 acres of wetland were operational which was slightly more than wetland

owned by the households which shows that a very less number of families were involved in the

leasing of land, whereas in spite of the irrigation problems, a major portion of dry land was found

operational to meet the economic needs of the families.

State wise data (Table 1) shows that families of Andhra Pradesh (6.2 acres) and Madhya

Pradesh (5.0 acres) were having more wetland as compared to the other states due to the

presence of Godavari and Narmada rivers respectively. In these states leasing of land was also

found more- Andhra Pradesh (3.7 acres) and Madhya Pradesh (3.8 acres). The least landholding

for the households were found in Assam and Uttarakhand this is due to the fragmentation of

the families. In Assam the wet and dry land owned by the families were found 2.1 acres and 1.2

acres and similarly in Uttarakhand it was 1.2 acres and 2.6 acres respectively. In spite of having

less land under the cultivation, the income of Assam households were found high because of

high cropping intensity by growing three crops in a year and cultivation of high value crops like

wheat, rapeseed, mustard, sugarcane, vegetables, spices and condiments are other major crops

grown throughout the year. Whereas, Uttarakhand belongs to the hilly region and rainwater is

the only major source for cultivation.

It was revealed from Table 1 that only 21.22 percent of the women farmer respondents

owned the land in their name. Looking at the state wise data it was found that Madhya Pradesh

was having the largest number (33.75 %) of women owning land in their name followed by

Andhra Pradesh (28.75%) and Jharkhand (23.7 %). A contributing factor for the situation was

strict implementation of laws, projects and schemes related to land right and ownership for the

women. Whereas, it was only 8.95 percent in case of Uttarakhand due to the fact that a most

of the families don’t go for registration even in the cases of male child, so, either the new land

27

purchased was in the name of the female or the very old women farmers who were inherited

land from their parents during their marriages.

Fig 1: Literacy level of the women farmers

Fig 2: Details of farm and non- farm income of women farmers

0

20

40

60

80

100

AndhraPradesh

Assam Jharkhand

MadhyaPradesh

Maharashtra

Uttarakhand

0verall

literacy 80 85.7 76.2 37.5 87.5 97 76.6

lite

racy

pe

rce

nta

ge (

%)

Literacy

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

AndhraPrades

h

Assam Jharkhand

Madhya

Pradesh

Maharashtra

Uttarakhand

0verall

farm income 89,450 101293 39641 72,381 152688 50,007 84,844

non farm income 37,152 69,039 14,200 21,442 61,000 25,897 34,890

Inco

me

in R

s

Income

28

Fig 3: Size of land holding of women farmers

Fig 4: Percentage of women farmers in groups

It was found that on an average 2 acres of land was owned in the name of women farmer

respondents where it was found highest in Andhra Pradesh (2.72 acres) followed by Jharkhand

(1.56). It was highest in Andhra Pradesh due to the practice of Streedhan for a long period, but

for the women farmer respondents in Jharkhand it was found that only 11.25 percent of the

women farmers own the land in their name. When farming experience of the women farmers

respondents was reported it was found that, most of the women farmer respondents have 16

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

AndhraPradesh

Assam Jharkhand

MadhyaPradesh

Maharashtra

Uttarakhand

0verall

land holding 2.72 0.75 1.56 3.7 1.3 0.56 2

Ave

rage

lan

dh

old

ing

by

wo

me

n in

acr

es

Land holding (acres)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

AndhraPradesh

Assam Jharkhand

MadhyaPradesh

Maharashtra

Uttarakhand

0verall

member in group (%) 90 75.71 67.5 61.25 80 83.58 77.68

(%)

Membership in Group

29

years of experience, although it ranges from 10 years in Assam to 18 years in Madhya Pradesh.

In the selected district of Assam it was found less in comparison to the other states and due to

the reason that most of the women farmers were mainly involved in allied sectors in comparison

to main agriculture crops.

From the Table 2 it was found that 77.68 percent of the respondents were members of

one or the other social groups like Self Help Groups (SHG’s), Mahila Mandals, DWCRA, Fisheries

Society, etc. Among all the states, Andhra Pradesh has highest number of the respondents

(90.0%) who were members in DWACRA groups whereas in other states most of the women

were members in Self Help Groups (SHG’s).

Table 2: Activities performed by the women farmers in their respective social groups

S No

Subjects

Andhra Pradesh

n=80

Assam

n = 70

Jharkhand n = 80

Madhya Pradesh

n =80

Maharashtra

n = 80

Uttarakhand

n = 67

Total

N = 457

1 Savings and credit

67 (83.75)

57 (81.43)

51 (63.75)

47 (58.75)

61 (76.25)

54 (80.6)

337 (73.74)

2 Agriculture 01 (1.25)

04 (5.71)

37 (46.25)

26 (32.5)

09 (11.25)

48 (71.64)

125 (27.35)

3 Animal husbandry

02 (2.5)

21 (30.0)

- 07 (8.75)

21 (26.25)

10 (14.9) 61 (13.34)

4 Fisheries 03 (3.75)

01 (1.42)

02 (2.5)

- - - 06 (1.31)

5 Sericulture - 3 (4.28)

01 (1.25)

02 (2.5)

01 (1.25)

01 (1.5)

08 (1.75)

6 Processing & value addition

01 (1.25)

04 (5.71)

17 (21.25)

- 08 (10.0)

02 (3.0)

32 (7.0)

7 Farm equipment & machinery

03 (3.75)

- - - - - 03 (0.7)

8 Nonagricultural activities

04 (5.0)

06 (8.58)

05 (6.25)

16 (20.0)

02 (2.5)

03 (4.5)

36 (7.9)

Figures in parentheses indicate percentages; Multiple response

Table 2 shows the activities of women respondents in social groups. Savings and credit

was found the primary activity of these social groups, though women’s groups are involved in

multiple activities. The majority of the women's social groups (27.35%) were involved in

agricultural activities which mainly includes cultivation of horticulture, floriculture and cereal

crops. In many states like Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra farm women groups were

found who were involved in horticulture and floriculture activities. The cultivation of the crops

is done collectively and market the produce in the nearby markets.

30

In Assam (30.0%) and Maharashtra (21.0%) a good number of women groups were

involved in animal husbandry activities in which they were found mainly involved in poultry,

duckery and large ruminant rearing. Animal husbandry activities were found more in Assam due

to the socio- cultural conditions existing in the selected district where women were more

involved in indoor agriculture and allied activities, whereas in Maharashtra due to the climatic

changes and irrigation problems there is the emergence of these new groups to meet their

family expenses. Although in Andhra Pradesh, majority of the women respondents were

members of social groups, a very less number of social groups were performing agriculture and

allied activities. Most of them were only confined to savings and credits. The reason for their

non-involvement in agriculture and allied activities was the socio-cultural restrictions existing

among the people of high caste in the selected district, which hampers their participation in

outdoor agriculture and allied activities.

Table 3: Sources of information to the women farmers about ATMA

S No

State

Andhra Pradesh

n=80

Assam n = 70

Jharkhand

n = 80

Madhya Pradesh

n =80

Maharashtra

n = 80

Uttarakhand n = 66

Total N = 457

1 Block Technology Manager

48 (60.0)

52 (74.3)

25 (31.2)

24 (30.0)

56 (70.0)

19 (28.4)

224 (49.0)

2 Subject Matter Specialist

27 (33.8)

16 (22.9)

03 (3.8)

20 (25.0)

41 (51.2)

01 (1.5)

108 (23.6)

3 Farmer Friends 12 (15.0)

0 (0.0)

58 (72.5)

48 (60.0)

30 (37.5)

0 (0.0)

148 (32. 4)

4 Fellow Farmers/ Group Members

02 (2.5)

36 (51.4)

28 (35.0)

11 (16.2)

13 (16.2)

17 (25.4)

107 (23.4)

6 Other Extension Functionaries

64 (80.0)

49 (70.0)

23 (28.75)

49 (61.25)

62 (77.5)

52 (77.61)

300 (68.64)

Figures in parentheses indicate percentages; Multiple response

It is revealed from Table 3 that Block Technology Managers, Farmer Friend and other

extension functionaries from different departments played an important role in creating the

awareness among the respondents about ATMA scheme. It was found that more than half of

the respondents (68.64 %) came to know about ATMA scheme from other extension

functionaries working in other departments as in all the states the Project Director of ATMA was

holding the position of District Agriculture Officer /Chief Agriculture Officer. Among the ATMA

extension functionaries, Block Technology Managers (49.0%) and Farmer Friend (32.4%) were

found as an important source of information to the women farmers about ATMA Scheme. In

Jharkhand and Uttarakhand it was found that either BTM or SMS were not recruited which

31

resulted in less extension to the women farmers. One BTM is looking after two blocks like in

Assam and Jharkhand as a result they are overburdened with work. In all the six states under

study, BTM and SMS were not completely recruited for the ATMA scheme.

Table 3 also shows that in Assam and Uttarakhand no Farmer Friend was recruited due

to non-utilization of funds and the process of appointing the Farmer Friends was initiated in

these two states. In Andhra Pradesh Farmer friends were not appointed as the agriculture

department already has Model Farmers thus Andhra Pradesh didn’t feel the need for appointing

Farmer Friend. In Uttarakhand only BTM positions were filled. Therefore, for more than one-

third (77.61%) of the respondents source of information about ATMA was mainly BTT conveners

(Assistant Agriculture officers).

B. Profile of Women Farmer Representatives

Table 4 shows the profile of the women farmer representatives of ATMA different

committees who were selected for the study. Six women farmer representatives from each state

were covered except in Andhra Pradesh where seven representatives were covered as two

districts were selected for the study. It is observed from the table that, the average age of

women farmer representative was 40 years. It was found that almost all were educated, about

35 percent were intermediate followed by High school 27 percent and Graduation and above 24

percent. On an average selected women farmer representatives have three acres of land on

their name. About 80 percent of the sample women farmer representatives were members of

the Block Farm Advisory Committee (BFAC). Seven women farmer representatives were part of

the Governing Board, one from each selected district under the study. It was found that almost

equal percent of women farmer representatives were selected from agriculture (32.43%) and

horticulture sectors (30%).

Data shows that the majority (83.78%) of the women farmer representatives were

holding the position for more than two years, followed by one to two years (13.52%). It was

observed that in all the states there is no change in the members of the committees and in some

states, these positions were held by the women farmers who were from well off families which

results in the inability of the ATMA officials to change the members. Among all the states,

Uttarakhand is the only state where in they changed the women farmer representatives, once

in every two years. Further, it was also noticed that most of them were nominated by the Block

Development Council (27.0%) and extension officials from agriculture and allied departments

(24.3 %) in all the selected states.

32

Table 4: Profile of the women farmer representatives in different Committees

(N = 37)

S No Parameters Number Percentage

1 Age in years (mean) 40 years -

2 Education

Illiterate 01 2.7

Primary 04 10.8

High school 10 27.0

Intermediate 13 35.13

Graduation and above 09 24.3

3 Land holding (Mean) 3 acres -

4 Member in the Committee

Governing board 07 18.92

Block Farm Advisory Committee (BFAC) 30 81.08

5 Sector

Agriculture 12 32.43

Horticulture 11 30.0

Livestock 06 16.0

Sericulture 01 2.7

6 Time period for holding the position

One year 01 2.7

1-2 years 05 13.52

More than 2 years 31 83.78

7 Nominated by

BFAC/ DFAC member 03 8.10

By majority or consensus 05 13.5

By BTT/BTM 09 24.32

By Block Development Council 10 27.0

Extension officials 09 24.3

8 Orientation received

Yes 34 92.0

C. Profile of the Extension Functionaries

Table 5 is about the profile of the extension official respondents involved in ATMA /

extension activities. A minimum six extension official from each state/district engaged in the

implementation of the ATMA extension activities were interviewed for the study. It is evident

from the above table that the mean age of the officials was 42 years and more than half of the

officials (65.0%) were postgraduates followed by graduates (32.3%). Project Director was

33

interviewed in each selected district, however, in three states, namely Jharkhand, Assam and

Uttarakhand, District Agriculture Officer was given the additional charge of Project Director.

Other officials, who were covered in the study were from allied departments, about 35 per cent

followed by 24 per cent BTMs. The data revealed that more than half of the respondents i.e

about 57 per cent, were implementing activities in the entire district and about 43 percent of

the officials were looking after the block. It is found from the analysis of data that, BTM’s were

holding charge of more than one block in Jharkhand and Uttarakhand states due to inadequate

extension staff at the block level. On an average these officials were having a total of 18 years

of experience, and their experience with ATMA was three years.

Table 5: Profile of the extension functionaries (N=37)

S. No. Parameters Numbers Percentage

1 Age (Mean) 42 years

2 Education

Intermediate 01 2.7

Graduation 12 32.3

Post-graduation and above 24 65.0

3 Designation

Project Director 07 18.9

BTM 09 24.3

SMS 03 8.10

Officers from allied departments/BTT convenors 13 35.13

Any other (AAO,NGO’s) 05 13.5

4 Jurisdiction

Whole block 16 43.2

Entire district 21 56.8

5 Experience (Mean) 18 years

6 Experience with ATMA (Mean) 03 years

2. ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTED USING 30 PERCENT FUND EARMARKED FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN FARMERS

On an average all the states have utilized about 21 percent of fund (out of the total amount

spent on extension activities) towards women farmers on cafeteria of activities However the

proportion of funds spent on women farmers varies from state to state and it ranges from 6.27

to 37.0 percent. Assam being the state which spent the highest percent (37.0 %) of funds on

women farmers activities, the lowest percent (6.27 %) spent on women farmers was seen in

34

case of Andhra Pradesh (undivided). The out performance of Assam state could be due to the

high number of women extension functionaries (50.0%) with the allied technical background

and their focus on identifying the technical interventions in existing traditional activities of

women farmers such as dairy, poultry, duckery, fisheries and to certain extent vegetable

cultivation.

Table 6: State wise fund utilization on extension activities of women farmers

S No

State Year Total fund utilized

for extension activities (₹)

Total fund utilized for women farmers (₹)

Percentage of fund utilized for women

farmers*

1 Assam 2012- 13 20,01,170 7,48,656 37.0

2 Uttarakhand 2012- 13 33,01,730 9,69,760 29.27

3 Jharkhand 2012-13 65,37,500 17,93,900 27.44

4 Madhya Pradesh

2012-13 22,92,000 6,08,338 26.54

5 Maharashtra 2013-14 88,78,714 16,07,547 18.10

6 Andhra Pradesh

2012-13 2013-14

62,22,524 3,90,414 6.27**

Average 48,72,273 10,19,769 20.93

Note- * Data computed only for the cafeteria of activities having segregated information on fund utilized for men and women farmers ** Average fund utilized from two districts i.e., East and West Godavari

Fig 5: Overall percentage of fund utilized for extension activities of women farmers

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Exp

en

dit

ure

(%

)

States

35

These women farmers were covered under the cafeteria of activities like training,

exposure visits, demonstrations, farm schools, etc. for intensification of existing activities in

which they were already involved. It is interesting to know from the study that though the

Assam state is classified as one of the lowest in overall fund utilization for the extension

activities, the state has spent the highest percentage of the fund towards women farmers.

This might be due to the fact that in the selected district of the Assam state, most of the men

farmers were involved in export oriented vegetable cultivation. Hence the ATMA officials

might have focused more on women farmers resulting in more coverage of women farmers

in extension activities under allied sectors such as dairy, poultry, goatry, fisheries, and

composite farming, whereas male farmers were more engaged with agriculture sector

activities. Due to the low budget in 2012-13, activities like allocation of seed money or

revolving fund, rewards and kisan mela were not organized and thus the unspent amount

which was earmarked for the community radio station was made available to the district to

organize the left over activities for the year 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Andhra Pradesh has spent lowest amount (6.27%) on women farmers and this could

be due to the fact that women from middle and upper caste don’t go to the farm and they do

not participate in the extension activities. The other reason may be due to the failure in the

planning process for incorporating women in different extension activities, as most of the

activities were planned only on those subjects where the participation of women is low like

farm mechanization.

Further, on the basis of gender segregated data, Uttarakhand State was ranked

second, which has utilized 29.27 percent of the fund on extension activities for women

farmers. The women farmers in this hilly region were more involved in agriculture and allied

activities than the male farmers. Both Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh states ranked almost

equal based on the percentage of fund utilization on women farmers i,e 27.44 percent and

26.54 percent respectively. In both the states, number of women representatives in BFAC

were high i.e. 33 and 47 respectively and in both the states a large number of women farmers

belong to the tribal communities where women play a lead role in agriculture and allied

activities. It was also found that Jharkhand was having the largest number of women farmer

friends (17) compared to other states.

36

Due to non-availability of gender disaggregated data in Maharashtra for the year

2012-13, data for 2013-14 was considered for the study. It was found that 18.1 percent of the

fund was utilized on women farmers. This figure does not include the expenditure on women

farmers activities related to Farm School, capacity building of groups and Farmer awards.

However, to increase the participation of women farmers in extension activities, Maharashtra

is encouraging selection of women farmer friends, providing demonstrations to women's

groups etc. It is found that among all the states only Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and

Andhra Pradesh (West Godavari Dist.) has maintained the gender disaggregated data and thus

helped in computing the percentage of expenditure on women farmers.

Table 7 presents the percent of budget utilized on various extension activities for

women farmers listed in cafeteria of activities. The data shows that Andhra Pradesh has

utilized the lowest amount of budget on all the activities of the cafeteria because of the

existing socio- cultural barriers existing in the selected districts which resulted in less

participation of women in extension activities. Looking at the activity wise budget utilized

data, it is noticed that conducting trainings for women farmers highest amount was spent by

Uttarakhand with 46.8 percent, followed by Assam (37.8 %) and Jharkhand (26.2 %).

37

Table 7: Percentage of fund utilized for women farmer’s activities

(*) not separate, (-) no fund allocated

Activities Andhra Pradesh

(2012-13)

Assam (2012-13)

Jharkhand (2012-13)

Madhya Pradesh

(2012-13)

Maharashtra (2013-14)

Uttarakhand (2012-13)

A. Farm Oriented Activities

i. Training of women farmers

a. Outside the state - - 24.0 28.6 0.0 37.3

b. Within State 0.0 33.3 29.3 10.0 17.8 45.81

c. Within district level 2.25 42.4 25.6 23.5 23.9 48.5

Total 1.93 37.8 26.2 17.9 20.3 46.8

ii. Organizing demonstrations 9.66 42.4 25.9 23.5 22.2 21.8

iii. Farm school 2.59 36.5 0.0 33.3 * *

iv. Exposure visits of women farmers

a. Outside the State 6.13 20.8 20.8 - 0.0 29.9

b. Within the State 3.72 30.0 24.0 - 5.9 24.1

c. Within Districts 6.20 33.3 20.8 29.8 14.0 47.4

Total 5.83 24.8 22.5 29.8 5.7 31.52

v. Mobilization of women farmers groups/ FIGs etc

a. Capacity building, skill development and support services 1.49 47.8 37.7 68.57 * *

b. Seed money/ revolving fund 0.0 - 100.0 - - *

vi. Rewards and incentives- best organized women group 0.0 - 60.0 14.3 - -

vii. Women farmer awards - - 18.2 - 0.0 4.9

B. Farm Information Dissemination i. District level exhibitions, kisanmelas, fruits and vegetable

shows 11.63 - 25.0 6.0 38.4 15.35

C. Research- Extension- Farmer Linkages i. Farmer scientist interaction at district level 0.0 33.0 20.0 40.0 10.0 46.82

ii. Organization of field days and kisangoshtis 3.42 33.3 27.3 14.3 22.1 42.0

38

Uttarakhand was found successful in meeting the minimum 30.0 percent fund allocation in all

the categories of trainings outside the state (37.3%), within the state (45.8%) and within

district (48.5%) as most of the activities were organized on the activities related to

horticulture, animal husbandry etc. which was predominantly owned by the women farmers

in the selected district and also active women's groups were targeted to achieve the desired

results.

In Assam no money was spent on trainings outside the state due to insufficient funds,

whereas more than 30.0 percent of the fund was utilized for women farmers in trainings

within the state and within the district level. Most of the trainings were organized on animal

husbandry where women's participation was high. It was observed that in all the states more

fund was utilized on trainings within the district except Jharkhand where more fund was spent

on trainings within the state as these trainings were organized mostly on women oriented

activities eg. floriculture, lac cultivation, sericulture etc.

Fig 6: Overall percentage of fund utilized on training of women farmers

Assam ranked first in providing demonstrations to the women farmers and it was

found that more than 60 percent of the demonstrations were on animal husbandry and allied

areas as women farmers in the selected district were traditionally involved in these activities

and therefore, imparted technical knowledge to improve productivity. In other states,

demonstrations organized on agricultural crops covered more men farmers than women

farmers since very low per cent of women have ownership on land and subsequent role in

decision making on selection of crops for demonstration. Participation in fairs and Field Days

is considered to be an important activity wherein potential farmers get an opportunity to

observe the advantages in adoption of new inputs and improved practices which resulted in

0

10

20

30

40

50

AndhraPradesh

Assam Jharkhand MadhyaPradesh

Maharashtra Uttarakahnd

Exp

en

dit

ure

(%

)

States

39

higher production and returns to the farmers. This event also provides interaction and

exchange of thoughts among the lead farmer with the potential farmers attending field day.

It was found from the study that, Assam (33.0%) and Uttarakhand (42.0%) had spent the

highest amount on organizing field days and kisan goshtis for women farmers.

Fig 7: Overall percentage of fund utilized on demonstrations for the women farmers

Fig 8: Overall percentage of fund utilized for Farm Schools of women farmers

Farm schools are also one of the important activities of ATMA cafeteria to impart

technical knowledge and hands on experience to the farmers. It was found that Maharashtra

and Uttarakhand have not maintained the gender segregated data regarding the activity and

in Jharkhand no farm school was conducted for women farmers. From the available data,

Assam has used the largest portion of budget on farm schools which were mainly on the allied

areas of agriculture. In Madhya Pradesh also 33.3 percent of the women farmers were

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

AndhraPradesh



Exp

en

dit

ure

(%

)

States

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

AndhraPradesh



Exp

en

dit

ure

(%

)

States

40

achiever farmers of farm schools as PRADAN, an NGO has played an important role in

mobilizing women farmers to participate in farm schools for increasing their technical

knowledge regarding agriculture and allied activities.

Fig 9: Overall percentage of fund utilized for exposure visits of women farmers

In all the states exposure visits were conducted for the women farmers and among all

the states Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh has used 31.52 percent and 29.8 percent of the

fund on women farmers respectively. In all the states it was observed that most of the women

farmers have participated in the exposure visits which were organized within the district due

to their easy mobility. For mobilizing women farmer groups, trainings and seed

money/revolving funds was provided. From the available data it was found that Madhya

Pradesh has used 68.57 percent of their fund on forming and nurturing women farmer groups.

Fig 10: Percentage of fund utilized on different extension activities for women farmers in AP

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

AndhraPradesh



Exp

en

dit

ure

(%

)

States

0

2

4

6

8

10

Training Exposure visits Demonstration Farm School

Exp

end

itu

re (

%)

Extension activities

Andhra Pradesh

41

Fig 11: Percentage of fund utilized on different extension activities for women farmers in Assam

Fig 12: Percentage of fund utilized on different extension activities for women farmers in Jharkhand

Fig 13: Percentage of fund utilized on different extension activities for women farmers in Madhya Pradesh

0

10

20

30

40

50


Exp

end

itu

re (

%)

Extension Activities

Assam

0

5

10

15

20

25

30


Exp

end

itu

re (

%)


Jharkhand

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35


Exp

end

itu

re (

%)


Madhya Pradesh

42

Fig 14: Percentage of fund utilized on different extension activities for women farmers in Maharashtra

Fig 15: Percentage of fund utilized on different extension activities for women farmers in Uttarakhand

Table 8 shows the number of women respondents selected for the study who have

attended different programmes of ATMA. A total of 457 respondents were selected for the

study among which 66.73 percent have participated in training, 36.32 percent in

demonstration, 23.9 percent in Farm schools, 37.2 percent in exposure visits and 13.34

percent in capacity building programs for the groups.

More than half (58.9) of the respondents were covered in the trainings organized

within the district as in all the states majority of women have participated in trainings within

district and a very few outside state and within the state trainings. Looking at the coverage of

women farmers in demonstrations among the states, majority of the respondents were from

Andhra Pradesh (55.0%) followed by Madhya Pradesh (48.75%) and Jharkhand (47.5%).

0

5

10

15

20

25


Exp

end

itu

re (

%)


Maharashtra

0

10

20

30

40

50


Exp

end

itu

re (

%)


Uttarakhand

43

Table 8: Activities carried out and coverage of women farmers by ATMA

Activities Andhra Pradesh (n=80)

Assam

(n=70)

Jharkhand

(n=80)

Madhya Pradesh (n=80)

Maharashtra

(n=80)

Uttarakhand (n=67)

Total

(N=457) Farm Oriented Activities

i. Training of women farmers* a. Outside the state 02 (2.5) 0 (0.0) 3 (3.75) 2 (2.5) 0 2 (3.0) 9 (2.0)

b. Within State 01 (1.25) 2 (2.9) 3 (3.75) 3 (3.75) 15 (18.75) 3 (4.5) 27 (5.9) c. Within district level 33 (41.25) 67 (95.7) 60 (75.0) 33 (41.25) 46 (57.5) 30 (44.8) 269 (58.9)

Total 36 (46.25) 69 (98.9) 66 (82.5) 38 (47.5) 51 (63.75) 35 (52.2) 305 (66.73) ii. Organizing demonstrations 44 (55.0) 18 (25.7) 38 (47.5) 39 (48.75) 13 (16.25) 14 (20.0) 166 (36.32) iii. Farm school achiever farmers 6 (7.5) 12 (17.14) - 8 (10.0) 2 (2.5) 6 (9.0) 34 (7.43) Farm school members 8 (10.0) 24 (24.3) - 13 (16.25) 20 (25.0) 10 (15.0) 75 (16.41)

Total 14 (17.5) 36 (51.4) - 21 (26.25) 22 (27.5) 16 (23.9) 109 (23.9) iv. Exposure visits of women farmers* a. Outside the State 3 (3.75) 0 (0.0) 2 (2.5) 5 (6.25) 1 (1.25) 2 (3.0) 13 (2.84) b. Within the State 1 (1.25) 8 (11.42) 6 (7.5) 6 (7.5) 6 (7.5) 16 (23.9) 62 (13.6) c. Within Districts 11 (13.75) 21 (30.0) 20 (25.0) 25 (31.25) 17 (27.5) 20 (29.9 95 (20.8)

Total 15 (18.75) 29 (41.42) 28 (35.0) 36 (46.25) 24 (30.0) 38 (56.71) 170 (37.2) v. Mobilization of women farmers groups/ FIGs etc* a. Capacity building, skill development and support services

14 (17.5) 4 (5.71) 8 (10.0) 5 (6.25) - 30 (44.8) 61 (13.34)

b. Seed money/ revolving fund 3 (3.75) 2(2.9) 25 (31.25) 4 (5.0) 5 (6.25) 29 (43.3) 68 (14.9) vi. Rewards and incentives- best organized women group

- - - - - - -

vii. Women farmer awards 2 (2.5) - 2 (2.5) - - 2(3.0) 6 (1.31)

*Multiple response

44

Less number of women farmers were interviewed from Assam and Uttarakhand due

to the geographical conditions and socio-cultural problems. Under the Farm school category,

7.43 percent of the respondents were covered from achiever farmers of Farm School and

16.41 percent were members of the Farm School. In Assam maximum number of respondents

were interviewed both in the category of achiever farmers (17.14%) and members of Farm

school (24.3%) as maximum budget i.e. 36.5 percent was spent on women Farm school in the

state. In Jharkhand there was no Farm School on the name of women farmer thus there was

no beneficiary interviewed. Under the exposure visit activity, 37.2 percent of the respondents

were covered and most of the respondents (20.8%) have attended exposure visits which were

organized within the district.

Fig 16: Proportion of women farmers in cafeteria of activities

About 13 percent respondents for capacity building activities and 15 percent for

whom seed /revolving fund was provided were interviewed as shown in Table-6. Two women

farmers each from Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand were interviewed who

received the farmer awards under the Extension Reform Scheme.

In all the states, especially in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand due to

the non-availability of proper records about the beneficiaries, the research team was unable

to contact the beneficiaries for the year 2012-13, therefore respondents were selected from

the 2013-14 beneficiary list.

Trainings37%

Exposure visits21%

Demonstrations20%

Farm Schools14%

Capacity building to groups

8%

45

Table 9: Subject wise participation of the women farmers in the trainings organized

S No

State

Andhra Pradesh

n=80

Assam

n = 70

Jharkhand

n = 80

Madhya Pradesh

n =80

Maharashtra

n = 80

Uttarakhand n = 67

Total N = 457

A Outside state training subjects Agriculture 02

(2.5) - - 02

(2.5) - 01

(1.49) 05

(1.09)

Animal Husbandry - - 03 (3.75)

- - - 03 (0.65)

Farm equipment and machineries

- - - - - 01 (1.49)

01 (0.21)

B Within state training subjects

Agriculture 01 (1.25)

02 (2.9)

- 03 (3.75) 03 (3.75)

02 (0.43)

11 (2.40)

Animal Husbandry - - 03 (3.75)

- 12 (15.0)

1 (1.49)

16 (3.50)

C Within district training subjects Agriculture 10

(12.5) 40

(57.14) 41

(51.25) 32 (40.0) 16

(20.0) 15

(22.39) 154

(33.7) Animal Husbandry 03

(3.75) 25

(35.71) 02

(2.5) - 24

(30.0) 10

(14.92) 64

(14.0) Fisheries 04

(5.0) 01

(1.42) - - - - 05

(1.09) Sericulture - - - - 01

(1.25) 03

(4.47) 04

(0.87) Processing and value

addition 08

(10.0) 01 (1.42) 17

(21.25) - 05

(6.25) - 30

(6.6) Farm equipment and

machinery 08

(10.0) - - - - - 08

(1.75) Figures in parentheses indicate percentages

Table 9 shows the subject wise participation of the respondents in training

programmes organized by ATMA. In total it was found that majority of the respondents have

participated in trainings organized on agriculture, both outside the state (1.09%) and within

district (33.7%). However, respondents participation in the trainings conducted within the

state was high on animal husbandry subjects. Training organized within the district covered

various subjects and among these agriculture (33.7%), animal husbandry (14.0%) and

processing and value addition topped (6.6%). Participation of respondents in these trainings

was found high due to the reason that women farmers are more involved in horticulture,

dairy, poultry, processing and value addition to agriculture and allied produce.

Looking at state wise data it was found that in all the states, agriculture has major

focus and in Assam (57.14%) and Jharkhand (51.25%) majority of the respondents

46

participated in trainings organized within the district on agriculture subject. However, in both

these states focus within agriculture was different. In Jharkhand women farmers got trained

in SRI cultivation whereas in Assam it was on integrated and composite farming. In the animal

husbandry, Assam (35.71%) and Maharashtra (30.0%) were the states where majority of the

respondents have participated in the trainings organized within the district. In Assam women

farmers were found interested to learn about poultry, duckery as they are already involved in

these activities. During the trainings they have learnt about improved breeds of egg laying

birds (poultry and duckery), management of egg laying birds including vaccination, housing,

etc. Whereas in Maharashtra women farmers have more focus on large ruminant animals due

to the scarcity of water for irrigation they want to have an additional income source for their

families. Women farmers of Maharashtra have learnt about management of dairy animals

(vaccination, loose housing system, feeding), hydroponic and clean milking. The data revealed

that processing and value addition of the agriculture and allied products is focused more in

Jharkhand (21.25%) and Andhra Pradesh (10.0 %), where, on one hand women farmers in

Jharkhand have learnt about food processing and ornament making from Lac and on the other

hand, women farmers in Andhra Pradesh got trained in fish preservation, processing and

storage. Very less number of the respondents have participated in the trainings on fisheries

(1.09%), sericulture (0.87%) and farm equipment and machineries (1.75%). This is due to the

fact that sericulture and fisheries are not found predominantly in all the selected districts

whereas farm equipment and machineries are still found to be the subjects of male farmers

and thus women’s participation was found low.

Table 10 reveals that overall only 13.34 percent of the respondents have participated

in capacity building activities of FIG’s with maximum participation in agricultural activities

(7.9%) (Cereal crops, fruits and vegetables and floriculture) and the participation in allied

sectors such as sericulture, animal husbandry and fisheries was very minimal. This is due to

the fact that the allied sectors such as sericulture and fisheries are not predominant in the

districts selected for the study and thereby the number of FIG’s in these sectors were also

found to be very less. This could be due to inadequate manpower in the respective

departments and the existing extension functionaries are overloaded with various schemes

and programmes, as informed by the field functionaries.

47

Table 10: Details of participation of women farmers in capacity building activities of FIGs

S

No

Subjects

Andhra Pradesh

n=80

Assam n = 70

Jhar khand n = 80

Madhya Pradesh

n =80

Maharashtra

n = 80

Uttarakhand n = 67

Total

N = 457

1 Agriculture 04 (5.0)

- 05 (6.25)

02 (2.5)

- 25 (37.31)

36 (7.9)

2 Animal husbandry

- 02 (2.85)

- - - 02 (3.0)

04 (0.87)

3 Fisheries 03 (3.75)

- 02 (2.5)

- - - 05 (1.09)

4 Sericulture - 02 (2.85)

- - - - 02 (0.43)

5 Processing & value addition

- - 01 (1.25)

01 (1.25) - 01 (1.49)

03 (0.65)

6 Farm equipment & machinery

03 (3.75)

- - - - - 03 (0.65)

7 Group related activities

04 (5.0)

- - 02 (2.5)

- 02 (3.0)

08 (1.75)

Over all 15 (17.5)

4 (5.7)

8 (10.0)

5 (6.25)

- 30 (43.80)

61 (13.34)

Figures in parentheses indicate percentages

Uttarakhand has given more focus on capacity building activities of FIG’s (43.8%) and

Assam has given least focus (5.7%) for capacity building activities of FIG’s. This may be due

to the fact that in Uttarakhand, horticultural crops are predominant and the women farmers

are extensively involved both in production and marketing. Hence ATMA has mobilized the

women farmers into the CIG’s in horticulture crops and encouraged them to go for collective

procurement of agricultural inputs and also marketing their farm produce collectively. The

women farmers in the groups have participated in technological upgradation in agriculture

and allied sectors and also in other areas such as processing and value addition, farm

equipment and machinery and group related activities (book keeping, group dynamics, etc).

It was informed that the selected district of the Maharashtra state has not utilized the fund

from ATMA for capacity building of FIG’s during the year 2012-13. However, they have utilized

the fund from the other state government scheme i,e. “Shetkari Gat Samuh Sheti Yojna” for

the purpose and hence the respondents were not considered for data collection for this

particular activity.

From the Table 11, it was found that 26.69 percent of the respondents received

demonstrations on agriculture followed by animal husbandry (8.97%). It was found that in

48

Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, more than half of the respondents participated in agriculture

demonstrations.

It was found that, in Jharkhand agriculture demonstrations were provided on paddy

where women farmers have learnt about SRI technique whereas in Madhya Pradesh

demonstrations were on pulses, wheat, horticulture and cropping system and women farmers

were trained on System of Wheat Intensification (SWI), ridge and furrow method, new

varieties of seeds, seed rate and its treatment, etc.

Table 11: Subject wise participation of the women farmers in demonstrations

S No

Subject

Andhra Pradesh n = 80

Assam

n = 70

Jharkhand

n = 80

Madhya Pradesh

n =80

Maharashtra

n = 80

Uttarakhand

n = 67

Total

N = 457 1 Agriculture 22 (27.5) 04

(5.7) 40

(50.0) 42

(52.5) 04

(5.0) 10

(14.92) 122

(26.69) 2 Animal

husbandry 11

(13.75) 16

(22.85) - - 09

(11.25) 05

(7.5) 41

(8.97) 3 Fisheries 05 (6.25) - - - - 01

(1.5) 06

(1.35) 4 Sericulture 01 (1.25) - - - 05

(6.25) - 06

(1.31) 5 Processing and

value addition 04

(5.0) - - - - - 04

(0.87) 6 Farm equipment

&machinery 02

(2.5) - - - - - 2 (0.43)


It is evident from the data that women farmers of Andhra Pradesh have received

significant number (27.5%) of demonstrations on agriculture and got trained on Integrated

Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), nursery preparation under

shade nets, zero tillage in maize, etc.

Maximum number of demonstrations on animal husbandry was organized in Assam

(22.85%) followed by Andhra Pradesh (13.75%) and Maharashtra (11.25%). The

demonstration provided in Assam was on poultry and dukery as women farmers were actively

involved in it. However in Andhra Pradesh women farmers were provided with

demonstrations on azolla, different types of fodder, poultry, etc. As women farmers of

Maharashtra were interested in large ruminant animals they were provided with the

demonstrations on hydroponics, azolla, silage making, etc. It was found that demonstrations

in the form of ice boxes for fish preservation were provided to the women farmers in Andhra

49

Pradesh. In Maharashtra, sericulture demonstrations were organized where women farmers

have learnt about plantation of mulberry and silkworm rearing. Andhra Pradesh was the only

state where women farmers have participated in the demonstrations on processing and value

addition (5.0%) and farm equipment and machinery (2.5%) where women farmer

respondents learnt about preparation of fish pickles and snacks and training on direct

transplantation by paddy drum seeder.

Interaction with the extension officials revealed that land should be on the name of

women in order to select women as a beneficiary for demonstration. However, it is felt by the

respondents that, it is not possible to fulfill this criteria as very less number of women farmer

have land on their name. Therefore, the extension functionaries provide agricultural

demonstration to the women who are actively involved in agricultural activities and have

significant role in decision making about the cultivation of crops. Whereas, other

demonstrations in animal husbandry, sericulture, etc were given to the landless women, as

land is not having much role to play in these activities.

Table 12: Perception of the women farmers about the demonstrations organized

S No

State

Parameters

Andhra Pradesh

n=80

Assam

n = 70

Jharkhand

n = 80

Madhya Pradesh

n =80

Maharashtra

n = 80

Uttarakhand n = 67

Total

N = 457

1 Cost of the Demonstration Aware of the cost 29

(36.25) 13

(18.6) 17

(21.25) 28

(35.0) 09

(11.25) 14

(20.9) 110

(24.1)

Not Aware 15 (18.75)

05 (7.14)

21 (26.25)

11 (13.75)

04 (5.0)

- 56 (12.25)

2 Demonstration inputs received in the form of: Inputs provided by

ATMA 44

(55.0) 20

(28.57) 40

(50.0) 42

(52.5) 18

(22.5) 15

(22.38) 179

(39.16) Cash deposited in

account 01

(1.25) - - - - 01

(1.49) 02

(0.43) 3 Fulfillment of the need of the demonstration Partially met 13

(16.25) 01

(1.42) 17

(21.25) 22

(27.5) 03

(3.75) 02

(3.0) 58

(12.69) Fully met 31

(38.75) 17

(24.28) 21

(26.25) 17

(21.25) 10

(12.5) 12

(17.91) 108

(23.63) Figures in parentheses indicate percentages

Most of the respondents (24.1 %) know about the cost of demonstration as they all were

provided with the receipt of the material at the time of the demonstration (Table 12). It was

found that in almost all the cases the inputs were procured by the officials and handed over

50

to the beneficiaries. Whereas, in some cases cash was deposited into the respondent’s

account.

Majority of the respondents (23.63 %) felt that the demonstration fully met their

needs and for 12.69 percent met partially. Demonstrations were found popular among the

women respondents as it provided practical hands on experiences, where they get knowledge

and technical skill upgradation by working in their fields.

It is evident from the Table 13 that a very less number of the respondents were taken

on exposure visits. Data revealed that a negligible number of the respondents have

participated in the exposure visits when organized outside state (2.19 percent in agriculture

and 1.09 percent in animal husbandry).However, it was found maximum number of the

respondents who have participated in exposure visits related to agriculture were from

Madhya Pradesh (6.25%) followed by Andhra Pradesh (3.75%) where they learnt about

management techniques in horticultural crops such as like nursery preparation, Integrated

Pest Management, grafting, cocoa production and post-harvesting techniques. Respondents

from Jharkhand (2.5%) and Maharashtra (1.25) have participated in exposure visits related to

animal husbandry where major focus was given on large ruminant animal management.

It was found that the majority (6.13%) of the respondents participated in exposure

visits organized within the state on agriculture related subjects, followed by animal husbandry

(2.19%) and processing and value addition (0.87%).

Among the states it was found that the majority of the respondents (13.43%) has

participated in agricultural exposure visits, however equal (6.25%) participation was found

from Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Assam

these exposure visits were organized on horticultural crops only where women farmers learnt

about nursery raising under shade nets, disease control in vegetable crops, jute cultivation,

lac cultivation, etc. However in Madhya Pradesh respondents learnt about SRI in paddy and

zero tillage in maize. Further, it was noticed that, more number of respondents (10.44%)

participated in the exposure visits related to animal husbandry in Uttarakhand as compared

to the other states.

51

Table 13: Subject wise participation of the women farmers in exposure visits organized

S No

State

Andhra Pradesh

n=80

Assam n = 70

Jharkhand

n = 80

Madhya Pradesh

n =80

Maharashtra

n = 80

Uttarakhand n = 67

Total

N = 457 A Exposure visit outside the state, subjects Agriculture 03

(3.75) - - 05 (6.25) - 02

(3.0) 10 (2.18)

Animal husbandry - - 02 (2.5)

- 01 (1.25)

- 03 (0.65)

B Exposure visit within the state, subjects Agriculture - 04

(5.7) 05

(6.25) 05

(6.25) 05

(6.25) 09

(13.43) 28

(6.13) Animal husbandry - - 01

(1.25) 01

(1.25) 01

(1.25) 07

(10.44) 10

(2.19) Sericulture 01

(1.25) - - - - - 01

(0.21) Processing &

value addition - 04

(5.7) - - - - 04

(0.87) C Exposure visit within the district, subjects Agriculture 01

(1.25) 12

(17.14) 19

(23.75) 23

(28.75) 04

(5.0) 11

(16.41) 70

(15.32) Animal husbandry - - - - 09

(11.25) 09

(13.43) 18

(3.93)

Fisheries 01 (1.25)

- - - - - 01 (0.21)

Sericulture - - - - 01 (1.25)

- 01 (0.21)

Processing and value addition

08 (10.0)

10 (14.29)

- 2 (2.5) 03 (3.75)

- 23 (5.03)

Farm equipment &machinery

01 (1.25)

- - - - - 01 (0.21)


Participation of the respondents was found better in the exposure visits organized

within the district. It was observed that about 15 percent of the respondents were exposed

to agriculture followed by five percent in processing and value addition of agriculture and

allied products and animal husbandry about four percent. It was observed that respondents

from all the states have participated in agriculture related exposure visits and participation

was seen higher in Madhya Pradesh (28.75%) and Jharkhand (23.75%). In Jharkhand exposure

visits made women farmers to learn about cereal and horticultural crops, whereas in Madhya

Pradesh it also included pulses and millets. Another important exposure visit was on

processing and value addition where, respondents from four states have participated with

Assam (14.29%) and Andhra Pradesh (10.0%) having the largest number of the respondents.

52

Under animal husbandry, respondents from only two states, namely, Maharashtra

(11.25%) and Uttarakhand (13.43%) have participated where focus was mainly on large

ruminants and poultry. Further, it was observed that, participation of women in activities

related to sericulture, fisheries and farm equipment and machinery was not seen in all the

states. This might be due to the reasons that these activities are not predominantly practiced

in the selected district.

Table 14: Participation of women farmers in Farm Schools and their perceptions

S No

State

Parameters

Andhra Pradesh

n=80

Assam n = 70

Jharkhand

n = 80

Madhya Pradesh

n =80

Maharashtra

n = 80

Uttarakhand n = 66

Total N =457

1 Participation in Farm Schools

Achiever Farmer 06 (7.5)

12 (17.14)

- 8 (10.0) 2 (2.5) 6 (8.96) 34 (7.44)

Members of Farm School

08 (10.0) 24 (34.29)

- 13 (16.25)

20 (25.0)

10 (14.93)

75 (16.41)

2 Sectors on which Farm Schools were organized (* Multiple frequency response)

Agriculture 11 3 - 47 10 7 78

Animal Husbandry 03 48 - - 10 10 71

Fisheries - 9 - - - - 9

3 Frequency of attending the Farm School Classes

Rarely - 1 (1.43) - - - - 1 (0.22)

Occasionally 2 (2.5) 4 (5.71) - 5 (6.25) 1(1.25) 2 (2.99) 14 (3.06)

Regularly 12 (15.0) 30 (42.86)

- 16 (20.0) 21 (26.25)

13 (19.40

92 (20.13)

4 Utility of Farm Schools as perceived by the respondents

Moderately useful 02 (2.5)

4 (5.71) - 5 (6.25) 5 (6.25) 1 (1.49) 17 (3.72)

Very useful 12 (15.0) 31 (44.29)

- 16 (20.0) 22 (27.5)

15 (22.39)

107 (23.41)


Farm School Provide the vital link between the progressive / achiever farmers and

others in a village. Selected farmers for the farm school would normally be the ones who have

been accepted by the farmers as achiever farmers and successful in adoption of technologies,

yield differences and income raised in agriculture and other allied sectors.

53

During the study (Table 14), it was found that 7.44 percent of the respondents were

achiever farmers and 16.41 percent were the members of the Farm Schools. Among the states

it was found that the highest number (17.24%) of the achiever farmers was from Assam

followed by Madhya Pradesh (10.0 %). Similarly, majority of the member of the Farm Schools

were covered from Assam (34.29%) and Maharashtra (25.0%).

In all the states it was found that most of the farm schools were conducted on the

subjects namely integrated farming, composite farming, mixed farming, etc. covering

agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries. Data revealed that most of the farm women

attended farm schools organized on agriculture (78) followed by animal husbandry (71) and

fisheries (9). In Madhya Pradesh maximum women farmers (47) attended farm schools in

agriculture, which covered horticulture, pulses, wheat, millets, oilseed, etc where they learnt

about mixed, inter and integrated cropping patterns. It was found that in Assam most (48) of

the women participated in animal husbandry where all most all farm schools were on poultry

and some on poultry cum duckry. Fisheries farm schools were found only in Assam where

they organized farm schools in the subjects of fisheries cum poultry cum duckry. From the

data it is also noticed that all most all the respondents has attended the Farm School classes

regularly in all the states and every member had found these farm schools useful.

3. PROCESS ADOPTED FOR NEED IDENTIFICATION

Table 15 indicates the ranks for the different procedures adopted by the extension

officials for identifying the needs of the women farmers. It was found that extension officials

have given priority to the interaction with women representatives in BFAC’s and interaction

with women farmer/groups for identification of needs which ranked first and second

respectively. Probing with officials further revealed that, women farmer representatives

working at the grassroot levels find out the need of the women farmers and give feedback to

the decision making body.

54

Table 15: Procedure adopted by the extension officials for identifying the needs of women farmers

S. No Procedure Score Rank

i. Based on gaps identified in SREP 3.85 V

ii. Interaction with women representatives in BFAC’s 2.07 I

iii. Interaction with the scientists/experts 3.20 III

iv. Based on past experiences 3.50 IV

v. Interaction with women farmer/groups 2.27 II

vi. Interaction with the PRI’s 4.33 VI

In many states, extension officials used interaction with active women groups during

extension events as a source for need identification of women farmers. The other methods

used for need identification includes interaction with scientists/experts, extension officials

past experiences, gaps identified in SREP and Interaction with the PRI’s ranked third, fourth,

fifth and sixth respectively. SREP is an important document to identify the needs of the

farmers, but from the observation it was found that it was rarely considered.

Table 16: Priorities considered by extension functionaries for allocation of funds for women farmers

S. No Priority Score Rank

i. To support small and marginal farm women 2.54 I

ii. To support women headed household 5.66 VII

iii. To motivate active women groups 2.98 II

iv. To impart knowledge to the women farmers 3.32 III

v. To bring changes in attitude and skill 3.50 IV

vi. Social mobilization and women group formation 5.08 VI

vii. To introduce income generating activities 4.38 V

viii. Linking women farmers to markets 8.54 VIII

55

Under ATMA scheme 30 percent of the fund is earmarked for the women farmers, it

is worth noting that how the selected districts prioritize the allocation of earmarked funds for

women farmers in their jurisdiction (Table 16). It is found that high priority was given to

support small and marginal farm women, motivate active groups and impart knowledge to

the women farmers. Whereas, the least priority was given for linking women farmers to the

markets. This might be due to the fact that market linking component is not present in the

ATMA’s cafeteria of activities, though it is an important activity.

Table 17: Consultations done by extension functionaries for organizing extension activities

S

No

State

Components

Andhra

Prades

h

n=80

Assam

n = 70

Jharkhan

d

n = 80

Madhya

Pradesh

n =80

Mahar

ashtra

n = 80

Uttarak

hand

n = 66

Total

N =457

1 Consulted the women farmers

Yes

64

(80.0)

68

(97.14)

69

(86.25)

48

(60.0)

48

(60.0)

50

(74.62)

347

(75.93)

No

16

(20.0)

02 (2.86) 11

(13.75)

32

(40.0)

32

(40.0)

17

(25.37)

110

(24.07)

2 Method of Consultation Informally 05

(6.25)

15

(21.43)

15

(18.75)

04

(5.0)

06

(7.50)

09

(13.43)

54

(11.81)

Through progressive

farmer/ Farmer

Friend/ women

representatives

29

(36.25)

23

(32.86)

12

(15.0)

08

(10.0)

10

(12.5)

09

(13.43)

91

(19.91)

During extension

events

26

(32.5

27

(38.57)

24

(30.0)

20

(25.0)

29

(36.25)

32

(47.76)

158

(34.57)

By organizing special

meetings

04

(5.0)

03

(4.29)

18

(22.5)

16

(20.0)

03

(3.75)

- 44

(9.63)


Table 17 provides the picture of different ways through which extension officials

discuss about any extension programme with the women farmer respondents before

organizing them. It was revealed from the data that more than one third respondents (75.93

%) were consulted before organizing the extension programs, though in a very few cases

direct contact method or special consultation procedures were adopted by the extension

functionaries. Most of the respondents (34.57%) were consulted during the extension

activities in which respondents place their needs or demand. The other method popular for

consultation (19.91%) was through progressive farmer, farmer friend, women

56

representatives, where these leaders project needs and requirement of the women farmers

in ATMA Committees and accordingly extension activities were planned.

State wise data shows that large number of the respondents were consulted in Assam

(97.14%) and Jharkhand (86.25%). In Assam, it was found that more than 50 percent of the

extension officials (BTM and SMS) were women, who had regular contact with women

farmers and thus 38.57 percent of women were consulted during extension activities. Looking

into the case of Jharkhand it was found that extension functionaries have organized meetings

(22.5%) specially to identify needs of women farmers by looking at active participation of

women respondents in their groups. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh were among the

states where only 60 percent of women perceived that they were consulted by the ATMA

officials before organizing any extension programmes. In Madhya Pradesh, women farmers

were consulted during extension events (25%) and by organizing special meetings (20 %). It

was observed that in Madhya Pradesh interaction of the women farmers was less with ATMA

extension functionaries because of less man power and larger area, although ATMA is working

with PRADAN (NGO) which is playing a major role in identifying the needs of the women

farmers, especially tribal women by organizing special meetings (20%). Whereas in

Maharashtra most of the women were consulted during extension events (36.25 %) and only

12.5 percent of the women farmers were consulted by the women representatives. It was

found that in Uttarakhand about 75 percent of women farmers were consulted for identifying

their needs which is mostly done during the extension activities (47.76 %) this may be due to

the fact that in the hilly regions distance from one house to the other is more and probably

extension events are the only occasions where they all meet and discuss the issues.

4. ROLE PLAYED BY WOMEN FARMER REPRESENTATIVES

Participation of the women farmer representatives in the committees

Table 18 shows the participation of women farmer representatives in the committees

and at grass root level, which includes the frequency of meetings and their attendance,

constraints faced by them for not attending the meetings, ways of sharing the information

discussed in the meetings with the women farmers and perceived merits of having women

representatives seats reserved in the committees.

57

Table 18: Participation of the women farmer representatives in the committees

S No Components Frequency

N= 37

Percentage

1 Frequency of ATMA committee meetings organized:

i. GB n =7

Quarterly 5 71.42

Half yearly 2 28.57

ii. BFAC n= 30

Once in a month 22 73.4

Quarterly 08 26.6

2 Attends the meetings regularly

Yes 34 91.9

No 03 8.1

3 Constraints for not attending the meetings

Delay in communication about the meetings 03 8.1

Venue for meetings are at long distances 09 24.32

No TA/DA provided 09 24.32

Their feedback not given due weightage 01 2.7

Family responsibilities or not feeling well 16 43.24

Family restrictions 02 5.4

4 Platforms for sharing information in the villages

Sharing information informally 35 (94.6)

Sharing information in group meetings 25 (67.6)

Organizing special meetings for information sharing 10 (27.0)

As per the responses of the members it was found that most of the Governing Board

meetings were conducted on quarterly basis. However, it was found that frequency of

meetings depends upon number of times fund is released. Thus in the states like Assam and

Uttarakhand where budget is less they conduct meetings on half yearly basis. Regarding the

frequency of BFAC meeting, data shows that almost one-third of the BFAC representatives

said that meetings were conducted on monthly basis whereas the remaining respondents

(26.6%) said that meetings were conducted quarterly. When it was discussed with the officials

it was found that they prefer to conduct monthly meetings but due to lack of funds, unsuitable

timings, sometimes the meetings were not organized.

According to the women farmer representatives’ majority (91.9%) has attended the

meetings regularly though they expressed constraints in attending meetings. The major

58

(43.24%) constraints found was women are engaged in domestic responsibilities and health

problems. It was also found that in some states long distances to the venue of the meeting

and no TA/ DA for attending the meetings were significant constraints. In Uttarakhand and

Assam due to less /delayed budget release, Travelling Allowance (TA) was not provided on

time.

Few women farmer representatives mentioned that, delay in communication about

the meetings and these women representatives were engaged in other societies, living in far

off places were the reasons for not attending the meetings. However, in states like Madhya

Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam they send letters about the meeting schedules two to three days

in advance and in some states meeting is organized on a prefixed date in every month and

this is mentioned in the annual plan.

It is evident from the table that almost all the women farmer representatives share

the information discussed in the meeting with the women farmers back home. However the

platform was found different. It was found that about 95 percent of the women farmer

representatives share information informally followed by sharing information in meetings of

women groups (67.6 %), whereas only 27 percent conduct special meetings for sharing the

information. Jharkhand is the state where most of these meetings were conducted with the

help of women farmer representatives in their respective villages.

Table 19: Role performed by the women farmer representatives as perceived by them

S No Roles Frequency

(N= 37) Percentage

i. Collecting information on the needs and problems of the

women farmers and giving feedback to committees

36 97.29

ii. Providing inputs as per the need of the women farmers 29 78.37

iii. Helping in preparing Block Action Plan/ District Action Plan 25 67.56

iv. Helping in formation and nurturing of FIG’s/ CIG’s 16 43.24

v. Creating awareness to women farmers about schemes and

programmes

11 29.72

vi. Facilitating in organizing extension activities 20 54.0

59

It is found from the study that (Table 19), almost all (97.29 %) women farmer

representatives have collected information on the needs and problems of the women farmers

and giving feedback to ATMA committees. Another important role was providing inputs for

the needs prioritized (78.37%) and helping in preparing Block Action Plan/ District Action Plan

(67.56%) by providing their important observations from the field. They are also significant

contributors for facilitating extension activities (54.0%) as all the women farmer

representatives were members in different groups. These women farmer representatives also

helped in formation and nurturing of FIG’s/ CIG’s (43.24%) and to get the technical and

economical benefits along with recognition in the society. Apart from this they are creating

awareness about different schemes and programmes (29.72%) running in their respective

blocks.

Table 20: Merits in participation of women farmer representatives in ATMA committee as perceived by them

N = 37 S No Role Number

Percentage

1 Facilitated to allocate more inputs to women 17 45.9

2 Helped in identifying women farmers needs 30 81.1

3 Helped in increasing the family income 14 37.8

4 Helped in getting the feedback from women farmers 29 78.4

5 Facilitated more participation of women farmers in

ATMA activities

26 70.3

6 Helped in strengthening and supporting women

groups

26 70.3

The merits of the participation of women representatives in the BFAC and

GB meetings were listed in Table 20. More than one third of the respondents mentioned that

it has become easy to identify the needs of women farmers (81.1%) and get feedback from

women farmers (78.4%), as women share their problems and needs freely with the women

farmer representatives of the committees. About 70 percent of the representatives found

that participation helped to facilitate more participation of women farmers in different

extension programmes, strengthened and supported the women groups by putting forward

their needs and finding solutions to these problems. Other important merits perceived by the

members were providing inputs to the women farmers (45.9) and in increasing the family

60

income (37.8%) by increasing women farmer active participation in agriculture and allied

activities.

Table 21: Role performed by the women farmer representatives in ATMA Committees as perceived by the extension functionaries

(N= 20) S No Roles Number Percentage

i Contributed feedback/inputs for preparation of

DAP /BAP

7 35

ii Helps in problem solving and decision making 12 60

iii Representing women farmers needs 5 25

iv Helps in selection of the villages and farmers 15 75

v Sharing information about various schemes 5 25

vi Formation and nurturing of the groups 13 65

vii Facilitating in organizing extension activities 13 65

Out of 37 officials interviewed for the study, 20 of them namely Project Director, BTT

conveners and BTM’s who were in different ATMA Committees formed the respondents.

Their perceptions about the role played by women farmer representatives presented in the

Table 21. It is seen from the table that, maximum percent (75%) of extension functionaries

perceived that women farmer representatives played a major role in selection of the villages,

farmers, followed by formation and nurturing of groups, facilitation in organizing extension

activities and providing feedback to solve identified problems encountered by farmers.

Women farmer representatives have minimal role in preparation of DAP/ BAP, as it is done at

the higher level.

5. IMPACT OF ATMA ON WOMEN FARMERS

Using a 3-point scale, an index was constructed and administered on the respondent

women farmers to study the impact of ATMA activities. The five dimensions which are

included in the index are Social participation of the women farmers, Technological and

skill up-gradation, Economic impact, Psychological and Managerial impact and Improvement

in extension services. All the 457 women farmers covered in the study responded to the

items in the index by way of giving their views to the scale item in the form of a cue.

61

The number of index items that constitute a dimension is same for psychological and

managerial impact and improvement in extension services for which the numbers were

seven and 10 respectively. Second, the number of sample women farmers was 80 in all

study states except in Assam and Uttar Pradesh where the sample was 70 and 67

respectively. By assigning weights of 3,2 and 1 to very favourable, neutral and not favourable

respectively, the total score is computed or the sample group in each state for each of

the five dimensions. The average score for each dimension for all the states is presented in

the Table 22.

Table 22: Average score of various components of Impact Index

S No

State

Components

Andhra Pradesh n=80

Assam n = 70

Jharkhand n = 80

Madhya Pradesh n =80

Maharashtra n = 80

Uttarakhand n = 66

Total N =457

1 Social participation 14.66 15.45 13.43 13.73 13.61 14.15 14.15

2 Technological and skill upgradation

13.86 15.62 12.88 13.97 13.66 13.56 13.90

3 Economic impact 12.51 14.05 11.71 13.30 13.00 12.86 12.88

4 Impact on psychological and managerial aspects

16.61 17.88 15.32 15.67 15.67 16.76 16.38

5 Improvement in extension services

19.37 21.28 19.76 21.37 21.37 19.38 20.16

It was found that the overall average score for social participation was 14.15 and

among all the states Assam (15.45) ranked first, followed by the Andhra Pradesh (14.66)

whereas least score (13.43) was observed in Jharkhand . Respondents from both the states

perceived that due to their participation in the ATMA’s extension activities they have

opportunities to freely interact with people, earned recognition and respect in the

community. Assam has attained the highest score as they have very good contacts with the

extension functionaries mostly women BTMs, engaged in group activities related animal

husbandry, etc. Apart from this, they are also actively participating in schemes implemented

by District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and

National Food Security Mission (NFSM). In Andhra Pradesh it was seen that although women

farmers are not participating in agricultural and allied activities but it was found that those

women who are coming forward to participate in extension activities they have gained

62

recognition and respect in the society. Jharkhand was found least and this might be because

of the tribal location, inability of the workers to reach the interior places due to language

problem, overloaded with work etc.

Fig 17: Impact on Social Participation (%)

Fig 18: Impact on technological and skill upgradation

The average score for technological and skill upgradation was 13.90 and Assam having

a much higher score than the overall average score i,e. 15.62. This may be due to the fact that

women farmers were trained on the activities in which they were already engaged i.e. Animal

65

70

75

80

85

90

(78.7 %)

Pe

rce

nta

ges

(%)

Social Participation

0

20

40

60

80

100(77.3%)

Pe

rce

nta

ge (

%)

Technological and skill upgradation

63

husbandry. These women farmers were provided with the improved breeds of poultry and

duckery by replacing their old local breeds, they learnt about the vaccination schedule,

housing, feeding, etc. With 12.88 score Jharkhand was the lowest, this might be due to the

fact that women farmers were less exposed to practical experience as no farm school was

conducted in the district for women farmers. Although Jharkhand is having a low score on this

dimension, during the study it was found that most of the respondents have learnt about SRI,

use of conoweeder, new varieties of seeds, etc.

Fig 19: Economic Impact

The Economic impact was assessed in the index by considering the perception of the

respondents about the reduced cost of cultivation, increase in the yields, improvement in

quality of the produce, value addition of the produce and linking women farmers to the

market. Assam got the highest score (14.05) which is much higher than the average score of

the dimension i,e 12.88. The reason for this might be that as women farmers were actively

involved in the poultry, duckery etc and they have a strong hold in the marketing of their

produce. Whereas,in case of Jharkhand the average score on the economic dimension was

lowest as the respondents found that although there was significant reduction in the cost of

cultivation by adopting the new technologies, increase in yields and quality was moderate. In

Jharkhand it was found that only progressive and big farmers got the economic benefits by

adopting the new technologies whereas small and marginal farmers did not get the desired

results due to less irrigation sources.

58

60

62

64

66

68

70

72

74

76

78

AndhraPradesh


Maharashtra Uttarakhand Overall

(71.7%)

Pe

rce

nta

ge (

%)

Economic impact

64

Fig 20: Impact on Psychological and Managerial Aspects

Impact on psychological and managerial aspectswas assessed by taking response on

seven items from the respondents namely, feeling motivated to actively participate in farm

activities, encouraged to undertake scientific cultivation, able to plan and undertake farm

activities, capable of guiding their fellow farmers, confident in making decision regarding farm

activities, look forward for innovative ideas and express and communicate freely. The overall

average for the dimension was computed 16.38 where highest score (17.88) was achieved by

Assam and lowest by Jharkhand (15.32), the reason for securing the highest score by Assam

might be that when women are involved in poultry and duckery they are involved from end

to end process and thus they feel more confident about their farming activities and capable

enough to train other women farmers to learn the activity. Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and

Maharashtra scored less, this is because in all these states most of the women farmers are

dependent on agriculture crops and there are only a few cases where women are involved in

end to end process and feel that they are moderately able to plan, participate, confident in

decision making etc.

Improvement in the extension services was assessed based on the 10 items and the

overall score was 20.16 out of the total 30.0 score. In all the states it was found that

awareness through Kisan Call Centers, use of print and electronic media and extension

services through FIG/CIG’s has very low scores, whereas no response against farmer friend

65

70

75

80

85

90

AndhraPradesh


Maharashtra Uttarakhand Overall

(78%)

Pe

cen

tage

(%

)

Impact on Psychological and Managerial Aspects

65

services was found in Assam and Uttarakhand as there were no farmer friend. Among the

states, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have secured top positions with equal score (21.37)

which was closely followed by Assam (21.28). Whereas, the lowest score was observed in

Andhra Pradesh (19.37) and Uttarakhand (19.38) this might be due to the reason that in both

the states reach to extension functionaries and services was low in Andhra Pradesh due to

socio-cultural factors which hinders in contacting the extension officials and in Uttarakhand

due to hilly terrain and inadequate extension staff.

Fig 21: Improvement in extension services

Among all the states Assam has secured highest score in creating the impact of ATMA

on women farmers whereas Jharkhand has the lowest score. However, as per the physical

and financial performance, Jharkhand was listed as high performing and Assam lowest

performing. This classification was based on the percent of the fund utilization during the

particular year, 2012-13. However, according to the data collected from the selected district,

Assam allocated the highest percent (37.0%) of the fund towards women farmers. From this,

it can be inferred that performance does not depend on the quantity of fund utilized but it is

the way available resources are put to use efficiently. In Assam, the needs of women farmers

were identified, made them technically sound by providing information related to the

60

62

64

66

68

70

72

AndhraPradesh


Maharashtra Uttarakhhand Overall

(69%)

Axi

s Ti

tle

Improvement in extension services

66

activities they are already engaged in. Jharkhand was found to be low inspite of utilizing 27

percent fund towards extension activities and it might be due to the fact that women farmers

were trained on agricultural crops i.e. paddy or horticultural crops and during the field

investigation, it was found that merely adopting the new technologies does not assure the

best results. Apart from adoption of new technologies, size of land holding, type of soil,

availability of seeds at the right time, sources of irrigation, climatic conditions, affordability of

the farmers etc. affect the crops.

ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)

The analysis shows that the state-wise average scores on each dimension differ

among themselves (Table 23) and to confirm whether or not such a variation is noticed in the

populations of women farmers of each state (from which the samples have been drawn,

some Hypotheses have been postulated, as spelt out below, and tested using the Analysis of

Variance (ANOVA).

Table 23: Results of Analysis of Variance

Dimension Sum of

Squares df Mean Square F Sig.

Score on social

participation

Between Groups 218.070 5 43.614 6.449 .000

Within Groups 3049.899 451 6.763

Total 3267.969 456

Score on technological

and skill upgradation

Between Groups 303.661 5 60.732 9.852 .000

Within Groups 2780.103 451 6.164

Total 3083.764 456

Score on economic

improvement

Between Groups 232.116 5 46.423 7.798 .000

Within Groups 2684.737 451 5.953

Total 2916.853 456

Score on psychological

and managerial

improvement

Between Groups 302.066 5 60.413 6.142 .000

Within Groups 4436.152 451 9.836

Total 4738.219 456

Score on improvement in

extension services

Between Groups 317.627 5 63.525 5.542 .000

Within Groups 5169.734 451 11.463

Total 5487.361 456

67

Hypotheses: Dimension 1: Impact of social participation

Ho (null hypothesis): No significant difference occurs in the average scores of women

farmers in the populations of six study states on social participation

H1 ( Alternate hypotheses): Significant difference occurs in the average scores of women

farmers in the populations of six study states on social participation

To test the null hypothesis as postulated above, Analysis of variance is applied

wherein the average scores on social participation of sample women farmers of all the

six study states have been compared. As will be seen from Table 22, the average score

at the aggregate level for the six study states works out to 14.16 and across the study

states, Assam registers the highest at 15. 46 points while Jharkhand gets the lowest at 13.44

points. Thus, average scores show that the samples exhibit a pattern which is not uniform

in all the study states and hence the statistical testing which either confirms that what all

is observed in the sample average scores also gets reflected in the respective population

figures or not.

The testing through Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) involves computing ratio (F-ratio)

of mean sum of squares between groups to mean sum of squares within groups. The

ratio in the present case works out to 6.45 which is significant at 1 per cent level (at 5,

451 degrees of freedom). Based on this conclusion, we reject the null hypothesis and accept

the alternate hypothesis. Hence, the inference will be that whatever differences are noticed

in the sample average scores are also seen in average scores pertaining to populations. Thus,

the impact of ATMA on social participation of the women farmers is not uniformly the same

across all the study states but varies. The impact of ATMA is broadly seen in terms of moving

freely with people in the community, earning respect of people in the village, getting

recognition in the locality by the people etc.

Dimension 2: Impact of ATMA on Technological and skill upgradation:

Ho (null hypothesis): No significant difference occurs in the average scores of women

farmers in the populations of six study states on technological and skill upgradation.

H1 (Alternate hypotheses): Significant difference occurs in the average scores of women

farmers in the populations of six study states on technological skill upgradation.

68

The F-ratio of mean sum of squares of between groups to mean sum of squares within

groups results in 9.85, significant at 1 per cent level with 5,451 degrees of freedom. From this

analysis it can be inferred that all the study states do not exhibit similar pattern in so far as

the impact of ATMA on technological and skill upgradation is concerned. The Average

scores on the dimension in question do differ and in fact in this case too, Assam occupies the

first position. The impact of ATMA on technological and skill upgradation is the highest

at 15.63 points in this state and on the other end Jharkhand falls with a corresponding

score of 12.89 points. This dimension is composed of six components which include getting

access to improved technologies, learning new skills, adoption of new technologies etc.

Dimension 3: Economic Improvement Ho (null hypothesis): No significant difference occurs in the average scores of women

farmers in the population of six study states on economic impact

H1 ( Alternate hypotheses): Significant difference occurs in the average scores of women

farmers in the populations of six study states on economic impact.

This dimension consists of six components and they include adoption of new

technologies, ATMA has led to reduction in cost of cultivation, ATMA has resulted in increase

of yield rates, ATMA is responsible for improvement in the quality of produce, ATMA

facilitating better linkages to the markets etc. At the aggregate level this dimension yields

an average score of 12.88 points and Assam is found to be in the lead with an average

score of 14.06 points. Falling at other extreme is Jharkhand with 11.71 points (on an

average). The differences in average scores in the populations is confirmed by a significant

F-ratio of 7.80 (significant at 1 per cent level with 5, 451 degrees of freedom). Based on

the analysis it can be inferred that the economic impact of ATMA is felt more in relative

terms in Assam, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Dimension 4: Psychological and Managerial Improvement: Ho (null hypothesis): No significant difference occurs in the average scores of women

farmers in the populations of six study states on psychological and managerial impact.


farmers in the populations of six study states on psychological and managerial impact.

This dimension is measured by seven components and important among them include

feeling motivated to actively participate in farm related activities, encouraged to undertake

69

scientific cultivation, developing capacity to guide fellow farmers etc. The dimension yields

an average score on seven components of 16.39 points and across the study states, again

Assam is found to be ahead of other states with 16.89 points on an average and Jharkhand

occupies, as in the case of other dimensions, the lowest position with 15.32 points. Based

on the significant F-ratio of 6.14, the null hypothesis can be rejected and the alternate

hypothesis is accepted, implying that the average scores on this dimension vary significantly

across the six study states and Assam gets the 1st rank in this regard.

Dimension 5: Improvement in extension services: Ho (Null hypothesis): No significant difference occurs in the average scores of women

farmers in the populations of six study states on improvement in extension services


farmers in the populations of six study states on improvement in extension services.

Another visible impact of ATMA is in terms of improvement in the extension contact

of women farmers owing to frequent visit of extension staff, improvement in the contact with

line staff, enhanced awareness on the schemes and programmes of agriculture and allied

departments etc. (10 components constitute this dimension). For the entire sample of 457

women farmers, the average score on the dimension works out to 20.16 and two states

namely Assam and Maharashtra score higher averages than the score at aggregate level.

The differences are confirmed by a significant F-ratio of 5.54 (with 5, 451 degrees of freedom).

Thus, the populations in the study states (from which the samples are drawn) differ in so far

as this dimension is concerned and among the six states, Maharashtra is at the top notch,

closely followed by Assam.

The above analysis boils down to the following observations:

The populations comprising women farmers of ATMA scheme from which the

samples are drawn in six study states do differ on the all five dimensions under

consideration.

It can also be seen from the graphs drawn (given below) for each dimension,

Assam is ahead of other states as regards impact on social participation, impact

on technological upgradation, economic impact and psychological and

managerial impact while Maharashtra is in the lead regarding improvement in

extension services.

70

In the entire matrix of six states and five dimensions, ATMA made the lowest

impact (64.3 per cent) and this is in the area of improvement in extension

services in Uttarakhand. This calls for taking appropriate measures by the

authorities concerned.

Table 24: Correlation (r) between different dimensions of impact and independent variables

S. No

Dimensions

Variables

Social parti-

cipation

Technical & Skill

upgradation

Economic impact

Impact on Psycholo-gical and managerial aspects

Improve-ment in

Extension services

Overall Impact Index

1 Age (r) Sig N

-.07 .136 457

-.100* .033 457

-.072 .126 457

-.112* .017 457

-.086 .065 457

-.108* .021 457

2 Total income (r) Sig N

.181**

.000 457

.258**

.000 457

.212**

.000 457

.211**

.000 457

.168**

.000 457

.248**

.000 457

3 Farm income (r) Sig N

.111*

.018 457

.148**

.002 457

.077

.101 457

.125**

.008 457

.087

.064 457

.132**

.005 457

4 Nonfarm income (r) Sig N

.161* .020 209

. 162* .019 209

.081 .244 209

.056 .422 209

.094 .178 209

.130 .060 209

5 Wet operational land (r) Sig N

.065 .214 364

.132* .011 364

.137** .009 364

.106* .043 364

.088 .095 364

.126* .017 364

6 Dry operational land (r) Sig N

-.051 .281 443

-.092 .053 443

-.045 .346 443

-.070 .141 443

-.012 .797 443

-.056 .228 443

7 Land owned by women (r) Sig N

-.126 .220 97

-.061 .554 97

-.154 .131 97

-.199 .050 97

-.142 .165 97

-.164 .108 97

**Significant at 0.01 level * Significant at 0.05 level

Table 24 studies the correlation between the variables and different dimensions used

in the study for measuring the impact of ATMA on women farmers. Three measurable

variables, namely, age, income, household land and women owning land were used to study

the correlation. It was found that age is having negative relation with all the impact

71

dimensions. Further, it was found that age is having a significant relationship with the overall

impact of the ATMA (r=-.108) however, only technological and skill upgradation (r=-.100) and

psychological and managerial (r= -.112) was found to be significantly related with the age of

the respondents. The total income of the household is having a positive and highly significant

relationship with all the impact dimension which shows that farmers having high income have

gained more benefits from ATMA scheme. From the statistical analysis it was found that

wetland is having positive and dry land has created a negative impact on the respondents.

Overall wet land has created a positive and significant relationship (r=.126) with the impact

dimension, however, among the five dimensions, it was found significant only with technical

and skill upgradation (r= .132), economic (r= .137) and psychological and managerial (r= 106).

Although the increase in dry land shows the negative relationship with the impact of ATMA

but no dimension was found significantly related. Although land owning by the respondents

have no significant relationship with the impact of ATMA but a negative relationship was seen

from the statistical test between the two variables, this might be due to the reason that land

owned by the women farmers was found high in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra but the

women farmers participation in agricultural and allied activities was low. It was found that

women farmers who own land 0.51 to 1 acre have attained more score on all the dimensions

as compared to the other women owning less or more land than the given figure (Annexure

Table: ). Educational status is also an important variable for assessing the impact, as it cannot

be measured in quantitative term thus correlation is not worked out for this variable.

However on the basis of mean score it was found that women farmers who have high

education have secured highest score on all the impact dimension (Annexure Table : ).

The main extension activities of ATMA are trainings, exposure visits, demonstrations

and farm schools, and it is important to understand among these, which extension activities

are more suitable for women farmers. Table 25 shows the relationship between the

participation of the respondents in extension activities and the perceived impact on the five

dimensions. Although, all the respondents have participated in more than one activity, thus

the above relationship can be considered as an indicator.

72

Table 25: Relation between different dimensions of impact and extension activities

S. No

Average score of Dimensions


Mean &

Frequency

Social parti-

cipation

Technical & Skill up-gradation

Economic improve-

ment

Psycho- logical & Managerial

Improve-ment in

Extension services

1 Trainings

Outside state training

Mean 14.155 13.904 12.884 16.385 20.166

N 9 9 9 9 9

Within the state Mean 14.037 13.630 13.593 16.111 20.852

N 27 27 27 27 27

Within the district Mean 14.413 14.130 13.030 16.617 20.461

N 269 269 269 269 269

2 Exposure visits

Outside state Mean 12.846 13.385 12.154 15.308 18.000

N 13 13 13 13 13

Within the state Mean 14.129 14.355 13.645 16.839 20.694

N 62 62 62 62 62

Within the district Mean 14.747 14.158 13.305 17.053 20.600

N 95 95 95 95 95

3 Demonstration Mean 14.343 13.988 13.217 16.524 19.946

N 166 166 166 166 166

4 Farm School Mean 15.000 14.972 13.804 17.720 21.533

N 109 109 109 109 109

From the data it is evident that Farm Schools played an important role in creating the

overall impact on women farmers respondents. It is also evident that exposure visits within

the districts and within the states has also got high scores on three and four dimensions

respectively, this might be because most of the exposure visits were organized in combination

with trainings. As per the data it is found that demonstrations have also created a significant

impact on the respondents by securing good score in all the dimensions.

73

Table 26: Constraints faced by the extension functionaries to implement the activities for women farmers

S. No Constraints Score Rank 1 Poor cooperation of the women farmers 6.65 7 2 No ownership of the land 6.10 5 3 No family support to the women farmers 4.4 1 4 Cultural barriers existing in the society 4.61 2 5 Organizing program as per the convenience of

women farmers 6.94 8

6 Deciding venues of the programme 8.29 10 7 Lack of mobility 5.25 3 8 Gender sensitization 7.28 9 9 Less women/ extension workers 5.58 4 10 Lack/late release of funds 6.5 6

Lack of fund and late release of funds was noticed in Assam and Uttarakhand which

were selected from a low performing list as per the methodology of the study. Apart from

the late implementation of extension activities and delay in supply of inputs to the women

farmers, it was revealed that salaries of the contract extension workers namely BTMs and

ATMs were not provided on time, which has led to the low motivation levels of the extension

functionaries etc. Other constraints faced by the officials were poor cooperation of the

women farmers while implementing the extension activities, organizing program as per the

convenience of women farmers, lack of gender sensitivity among the officials and farmers.

Table 27 lists important suggestions made by women farmers, women representatives

and extension functionaries to provide better extension services to women farmers. There

are some common suggestions which came from all the three respondents such as training

to be provided on allied sectors, linking women farmers to the market, creating awareness

about the new schemes and technologies and need for more women extension workers. 125

women farmer respondents have expressed the need for a facility to improve access to inputs

and credit. 119women farmers preferred to have training venues in their villages, more

exposure visits within the state to improve access to extension services and participation of

women farmers in agriculture and allied sectors. It is interesting to note that women farmers

also felt the need for trainings on gender sensitization, at village level.

74

Table 27: Suggestions made by women farmers, women representatives and extension functionaries to provide better extension services

S. No

Suggestion Women Farmers

N=457

Women Farmer representatives

N=37

Extension functionaries

N=37

1 Trainings on allied sector activities 154 14 6 2 Linking/facilitating women to market 50 9 8 3 Creating awareness about

government schemes and technology 109 14 22

4 Women extension workers 56 12 6 5 Facility for inputs/credit/subsidy 125 13 - 6 Training at village 119 6 - 7 Follow up training 82 - - 8 Practical training 56 - - 9 More demonstrations 40 - - 10 Exposure visits within the state 32 - 8 11 Gender sensitive training 27 9 -

There are some constraints faced by the extension functionaries while implementing

the extension activities for women farmers (Table 27). It was found that lack of family support

to the women farmers (rank 1st), cultural barriers existing in the society (rank 2nd) and lack

of mobility were the main constraints faced by the extension functionaries. Although in each

selected districts, these constraints were faced by the extension functionaries, the

participation of women farmers in outside state programmes were found minimal. However,

in the selected districts of Andhra Pradesh these issues were identified as the main constraints

for the functionaries which resulted in very low participation of women farmers in the

agricultural and allied activities among all the states.

Almost in all the states it was found that there was inadequate extension staff or

women extension workers for carrying out the extension services and thus the issue secured

the fourth rank as perceived by the extension functionaries. The fifth rank is given to not

having ownership of land by the women farmer for providing benefits under certain schemes.

It was found during the study that states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, where

women have the land on their name do not participate actively in agricultural and allied

activities and thus providing benefits to these women farmers will not service the purpose.

75

VI. Conclusion and Recommendations

1. A total of 457 women farmer respondents were interviewed for the study. The mean

age of the women farmers range from 33 to 41 years. About 31 percent have

education upto high school. The average annual income of the household was found

Rs 94,350 where major income is coming from the farm activities. Average household

land holding in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh was found 5 – 6.2 acres and the

least was found in Assam and Uttarakhand. However, inspite of low land holding in

Assam the income generated from the land is high because of the high cropping

intensity and fertile lands. On an average about 21 percent of women farmers owned

the land on their name. Further, about 77 percent of the women farmers were

members of one or the other social groups namely SHG, Mahila Mandals, Fisheries

society etc.

2. About 65 percent of the extension functionaries were post graduates followed by

graduates (32 %) and have an average 18 years of experience in the department. In

Jharkhand, Assam and Uttarakhand, the post of Project Director, ATMA is an

additional charge given to the districts heads of agricultural departments. It is also

found that in these districts where the department officials are holding the charge of

Project Director, ATMA were able to mobilize the extension staff and implement the

activities smoothly, as they have control over their departmental staff at the block

level and below. Further, it is also found that BTM’s were holding charge of more than

one block in Jharkhand and Uttarakhand states due to incomplete recruitment of

BTMs.

3. All the women farmer representatives were educated, about 35 percent were

intermediate followed by High School (27 %) and Graduate and above 24 percent. On

an average selected members have 3 acres of land on their name. About 84 percent

of women farmer representatives were holding the positions in the committees of

ATMA for more than 2 years.

4. Various activities carried out for women farmers under ATMA scheme included

trainings, demonstrations, farm schools, exposure visits and capacity building

activities. About 67 percent of the sample women have participated in training, 36

76

percent in demonstration, 24 percent in Farm schools, 37 percent in exposure visits

and 13 percent in capacity building programs for the groups.

5. Majority of women do not own land and these women are engaged more in allied

sector activities than activities related to agriculture. Therefore priority should be

given for organizing activities in allied sectors which includes livestock rearing, fodder

cultivation, sericulture, processing and value addition.

6. Under cafeteria of activities expenditure on demonstration was found less in

agricultural sector as it is linked to land ownership and many women respondents do

not own the land, they were not considered as beneficiaries for demonstrations. To

overcome the problem it is suggested that wherever women groups are working

successfully, by taking land on lease those women could be considered as beneficiaries

by ATMA.

7. It is recommended to organize more trainings at the village level to overcome the

socio –cultural barriers. In addition training on micro enterprises which can be

performed at household and group level are also recommended for economic

development of the women farmers. It is also found that there is a need for organizing

gender sensitization trainings at various levels.

8. On an average all the states have utilized about 21 percent of fund towards women

farmers activities enlisted in the cafeteria. However, proportion of funds spent on

women farmers varies from state to state. Assam has spent the highest percent on

women farmers’ activities; the lowest percent was seen in Andhra Pradesh

(undivided). The out performance of Assam state is due to the high number of women

extension functionaries (50%) with technical qualification in allied sectors and their

focus was on women farmers engaged in dairy, poultry, duckery, fisheries and to

certain extent vegetable cultivation. However, least priority was given for linking

women farmers to the markets.

9. Women farmers of Andhra Pradesh have received significant number (28%) of

demonstrations on agriculture and also got trained on Integrated Pest Management

(IPM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), nursery preparation under shade nets,

zero tillage in maize, etc. Andhra Pradesh was the only states where women farmers

have participated in the demonstrations on processing and value addition and farm

77

equipment and machinery where they learnt about processing of fish i.e fish pickles

and snacks preparation.

10. In all the states it was found that most of the farm schools were conducted on the

subjects namely integrated farming, composite farming, mixed farming, etc. covering

agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries. Most of the farm women attended the

farm schools organized on agriculture (78) followed by animal husbandry (71) and

fisheries (9). In Madhya Pradesh maximum women farmers (47) attended farm schools

in agriculture, which covered horticulture, pulses, wheat, millets, oilseed, etc where

they learnt about mixed, inter and integrated cropping patterns. It was found that in

Assam most (48) of the women participated in animal husbandry where all most, all

farm schools were on poultry and some on poultry cum duckery. Fisheries farm

schools were found only in Assam where they organized farm schools in the subjects

of fisheries cum poultry cum duckery. Majority of the respondents have attended the

Farm School regularly in all the states and every one found these farm schools useful.

Therefore, it is recommended to involve more women farmers in conducting the Farm

Schools not only in agriculture but also in allied sectors where women have shown

good interest.

11. In few states the extension functionaries are found to be collecting information

related to the needs of the women farmers during their regular visits to villages for

conducting extension activities. Whereas in other states consultation with the women

farmers was not found so much for need assessment and finalizing the action plans.

To make the ATMA programs need based and to ensure effective utilization of fund it

is important to have more group discussions with women farmers and their

representatives to identify their priorities for allocation of funds.

12. Strategic Research and Extension Plan (SREP) is an important document to identify the

needs of the farmers, but from the observation it was found that it was rarely referred

to. It is suggested to refer the SREP before finalizing the action plan.

13. Out of thirty seven, thirty women farmer representatives were members of the Block

Farm Advisory Committee (BFAC). Seven women farmer representatives were part of

the Governing Board, one from each selected district under the study. According to

the women farmer representatives’ majority (92%) has attended ATMA meetings

regularly, though they expressed constraints in attending meetings.

78

14. Proper selection of women farmer representative at GB and BFAC level is very

essential in addressing issues. Wherever, women farmer representatives of BFAC are

active, in those districts more consultations have taken place with women groups for

identifying priorities and implementing activities. In view of this, it is recommended

that the official should focus on proper selection and orientation trainings to BFAC

women representatives about the Extension Reforms Scheme and their role in its

implementation, so that, these women can play an active role in mobilizing women

groups, identifying their needs, giving feedback in the meetings and ensuring that the

women farmer needs are incorporated in action plans and budgets are earmarked for

addressing these needs.

15. Merits of participation of women farmer representatives in BFAC and

GB meetings as perceived by the members were that it has become easy to identify

needs of women farmers and get feedback from them. About 70 percent of the

representatives felt that their participation in ATMA meetings and activities helped to

facilitate more participation of women farmers in different extension programs and

strengthening the women groups

16. It was found that, women farmer representatives played main role in selection of

villages, beneficiary women farmers followed by formation and nurturing of groups,

facilitation in organizing extension activities and providing feedback to solve identified

problems. This practice needs strengthening in all the blocks and states.

17. Majority (84%) of the women farmer representatives were holding position for more

than two years. It was observed that in all the states there is no change in the members

of the committees and in some states, these positions were held by the women

farmers who were from the influential families. It is suggested that, women

representatives of BFAC should be changed on completion of their tenure (2 years).

Wherever BFAC women representatives are not found active the official should

motivate them and ensure their participation regularly in the meetings.

18. Women groups are found to be working together successfully in Uttarakhand state

where they were procuring inputs and marketing the farm produce collectively.

Similarly in Andhra Pradesh women groups are actively involved in production of leaf

plates and cups, extraction of fiber from palm and manufacturing different items such

as door mats, ropes, baskets etc for household use. As the socio cultural and economic

79

status of the women varies so much across the sample states it is suggested that

location specific, need based activities have to be promoted among the women for

their economic upliftment.

19. It is found that, in Madhya Pradesh state, many women achiever farmers were

included in farm schools by PRADAN, an NGO which has played an important role in

mobilizing women farmers to participate in farm schools. It is suggested to encourage

more involvement of NGOs under PPP mode for implementation of extension

activities for achieving the desired results.

20. During trainings women farmers have learnt about improved variety of layers (poultry

and duckery), management of layers, including vaccination, housing, etc. Whereas in

Maharashtra women farmers have more focus on large ruminant animals due to

scarcity of water for irrigation they want to have an additional income source. Women

farmers of Maharashtra have learnt about management of dairy animals (vaccination,

loose housing system, feeding), hydroponic and clean milking. Processing and value

addition to agriculture and allied products was given more focus in Jharkhand and

Andhra Pradesh. Women farmers in Jharkhand have learnt about food processing and

ornament making from Lac whereas women farmers in Andhra Pradesh got trained in

fish preservation, processing and storage. It is also reported that women who

participated in extension activities have gained recognition and respect in the society.

21. Farmer friends were found to be an importance source of information for the women

farmers and felt that the farmer friend is easily accessible to them for any kind of help

or advice. These farmer friends are found be very effective in mobilizing the groups

and supporting the BTMs, ATMs and other line department field functionaries in

organizing the extension activities at the village level. It is recommended to build the

capacities of these farmer friends regularly on technical and managerial aspects

wherever they are appointed and in the states where there is a delay in appointing

the farmer friend, the process has to be initiated at the earliest.

22. Progressive women farmers were used as trainers (under Farmer to Farmer Extension

Concept) in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh etc. and found successful in reaching out

more women farmers. This practice can be replicated in other areas / states also.

23. Women friendly tools such as conoweeder, paddy drum seeder, palmray fibre

extractor, cocoa harvester, seed treatment drum, spiral soyabean separator etc. were

80

given to the women / women groups through ATMA in different states and the women

groups have felt that these technologies have benefitted them by reducing the

drudgery in handling the activity, saved time, improved the efficiency of the women

farmers. It is recommended to popularize these tools and technologies on a large

scale to benefit more number of women farmers by ensuring the compatibility of

these tools and technologies to the local conditions.

24. Most of the women farmers / their families are continuing with traditional crops

without taking into consideration the changes that have occurred in the agro-

ecological conditions. They should be sensitized through different programmes to go

for crop diversification and integrated farming, which will fetch them better results

and sustainability.

25. Group activities and collective marketing was done by few women groups in the study

area, which has benefitted the women. This practice has to be promoted further to

empower the small and marginal women farmers socially and economically.

26. Economic impact was assessed by considering perceptions of respondents about

reduced cost of cultivation, increase in yields, quality of the produce, value addition

to the produce and linking women farmers to market. Assam got the highest score

indicating realization of higher benefits from extension activities. Assam is ahead of

other states as regards to impact on social participation, impact on technological

and skill up gradation, economic impact and psychological and managerial impact

while Maharashtra is in the lead regarding improvement in access to extension

services.

27. Among all the states, ATMA in Uttarakhand State made the lowest impact with regard

to improvement in extension services. This calls for taking appropriate measures by

the authorities concerned.

28. Farm Schools played an important role in creating overall impact on women farmers.

Exposure visits within the districts and within states have also contributed to the

better impact as most of the exposure visits were organized in combination with

trainings. As per the data it is found that demonstrations have also created a

significant impact on the respondents. In view of this it is suggested that training

should be supported by practical sessions to have more impact.

81

29. Women farmers reported that information regarding the conduct of extension

programmes is given only 1 or 2 days before the programme or in the last minute. In

such cases, they have a difficulty in attending the programmes. The schedule of the

field extension activities should be informed to the women farmers in advance, so that

they plan their domestic and other works, which facilitates more participation of

women farmers in extension activities,.

30. It was noticed that, in most of the states gender disaggregated data was not

maintained properly and it is recommended that the State Nodal Officer and the

officials at the district should ensure maintenance of gender disaggregated data which

is essential for analyzing the fund allocation, utilization and impact.

31. BTM’s were holding charge of more than one block in Jharkhand and Uttarakhand

states due to inadequate extension staff at the block level. Wherever BTMs, ATMs and

women extension functionaries are appointed they are found to be delivering good

services at field level and most of the women farmers were able to recognize and

acknowledge their services. Therefore, it is recommended that wherever appointment

of BTMs , ATMs and women extension functionaries is incomplete the state should

give priority for completing the appointment of the BTMs and ATMs for effective

implementation of the scheme.

32. ATMA officials also felt that, delay in release of fund is one of the major constraint

affecting the implementation of activities under Cafeteria. Hence, they suggested

timely release of fund well before the crop seasons will have a better impact on the

program.

33. The socio-cultural issues being main barriers for the extension functionaries, it is

suggested to implement the extension activities through women groups. In addition,

to address this issue and gender inequalities, it is recommended to have gender

sensitization programmes for the officials as well as farmers.

82

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Annexure I

Profile of the Sample Districts

DARRANG (ASSAM)

Darrang is one of the 37 districts of Assam and situated at the center of the state,

which comes under North Bank Plain Zone (NBPZ) of Assam. The district is surrounded in the

north by Udalguri district, in the east Sonitpur district and in the west by Kamrup district. The

mighty Brahmaputra flows along the southern periphery of the district. Thus, the district is

also well connected with the water ways. Geographically it lies between longitudes 20º 09’N

to 26º95’N and latitudes 91º45’E to 92022’E. The major physiographic variation of the district

is in general considered to be plain except high land areas, flood prone areas, char lands and

swampy areas. Average annual rainfall is about 1762.63 mm. the district occupies a

geographical area of 1427.49 sq. km. There are six development blocks Viz. Sipajhar,

PachimMangaldai, Pub Mangaldai, Kalaigaon, Dalgaon-Sialmari and Bechimari. Further there

are 562 villages in darrang.

Total population of Darrang is 92.85 lacs among which 94.02 percent lives in

rural area and 5.98 lives in urban.

The average literacy rate of Darrang is 52.45 percent and it is reported 56.52

percent and 48.2 percent for male and females respectively.

The district sex ratio is 954 per 100 males.

Out of the total population 35 .0 percent is the working population among

which 33.08 percent are main cultivator and 14.29 percent agricultural

labourers.

The cultivable area is 73.40 percent of the total area of the district. At present,

83.7 percent of cultivable area is under cultivation. Major source of irrigation

in Darrang is pumpsets which is used to irrigate 40.31 percent area.

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Major crops of the district are paddy, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, fibre, sugarcane,

vegetables banana, tea areca nut, coconut, spices and condiments. This district

is also rich in livestock and backyard poultry.

DEHRADUN (UTTARAKHAND)

Dehradun is one of the thirteen districts of Uttarakhand and also the provisional

capital. Dehradun town lies in the Dun Valley, on the watershed of the Ganga and Yamuna

rivers. Geographically, the location of Dehradun is in between 29° 58' and 31° 2'30'' north

latitudes and 77° 34'45'' and 78° 18'30'' east longitudes. Its altitude is 2100 ft above the sea

level. The average rainfall in the area varies 1646 mm (Sahaspur) to 2538mm (Musoorie) as

per the geographical location of the places in the district. The total area of the district is 3088

sq. km and the forest area accounts 43.70 percent of the district. Dehradun is divided in six

blocks vizChakrata, Kalsi, Vikas Nagar, Sahaspur, Raipur and Doiwala among which Kalsi and

Chakrata are hilly regions. The other details of the district are as follows:

In 2011, Dehradun had population of 16.97 lacs and on the basis of residence

55.9 percent of the population resides in urban area whereas 44.10 percent

reside in rural areas. The district has 21.2 percent of scheduled caste and

scheduled tribe population.

Average literacy rate of Dehradun in 2011 was 84.25 and if things are looked

out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 89.40 and 78.54

respectively.

The district has gender ratio of 902 against a state average of 963.

The net cultivated area is 46.0 percent of the district area which is mostly

irrigated by canals (58.3 %) followed by tube wells (41.7%).

Major agricultural crops are sugarcane, wheat, rice (basmati),barley, maize,

mustard, arhar, urd, whereas it is also very rich in the production vegetables

and various fruits like mango, guava, peach, grape, strawberry, litchi etc

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EAST GODAVARI (ANDHRA PRADESH)

East Godavari is one of the thirteen districts of Andhra Pradesh and located in the

North coastal part of Andhra Pradesh. It is bounded by Visakhapatnam district on the north

and West Godavari district on the south, Bay of Bengal on the east and Khammam district on

the west. East Godavari lies between the 16 30’ to 18 20’ North latitude and 81 30’ to 82 36’

East longitude. The district is having moderate climate and average rainfall varies widely from

1000 mm at the northern part of the coast to 1400 mm at the extreme western parts of the

hills. The geographical area of the district is 10,807 Sq.mtrs. there are 60 Mandal and 1012

gram panchayats. This district is also known as rice bowls of Andhra Pradesh with lush paddy

fields and coconut groves.Fisheries, plywood unit, paper mill, sugar

factories, sugar and biofuel plants are the key industries that offer employment and source

of livelihood to the people. Being the largest part of the rich Godavari delta, agriculture and

aquaculture are major parts of the economy for this district.

According to the 2011 census East Godavari district has a total population of 51.51

lacs among which 25.49 percent live in urban and 74.51 percent in rural areas of east

godavari.

The literacy rate of the district is 71.35 percent and on gender basis, male and female

literacy was 74.91 percent and 67.82 percent respectively.

East Godavari has a sex ratio of 1005 females for every 1000 males.

The main economic activity of East Godavari is agriculture and 64.8 percent of

population is depended on agriculture. East Godavari contributes about 10.0 percent

of the total food gain production in the state

277800 hectare is the net irrigated area of the district and major source of irrigation

are canals (62.1%) followed by bore wells (22.0 %).

The district stands top in the state in production of paddy, banana and coconut. Paddy,

Castor, Pulses, Jowar, Maize, Ground Nut are the major crops grown in the district.

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EAST SINGHBUM (JHARKHAND)

East Singhbum is one of the 24 districts of Jharkhand and situated at the extreme corner

of the southeast of Jharkhand. It is bounded by the district Midnapur of West Bangal in East,

Seraikela district in west, Mayurbhanj district of Orissa in South and Purulia district of West

Bangal in North. Geographically the district lies between longitudinal 86 04’ min to 86 54’ East

and latitudinal 22 12’ min to 23 01’ North. Generally the height of this area is 700 ft. to 3100

ft. above sea level. The climate of the district is temperate and average annual rainfall in the

district is 1200mm to1400mm. Suvernrekha and Kharkai are the major rivers of the district.

The total geographical area of the district is 3533 Sq.km. and 53.0 percent of the area is

covered with residual mountains and hills. There are eleven blocks in the district (Goluri-cum-

jugsalai,Potka, Patamda, Boram,Duuria, Musabani, Ghatsila, Dhalbhumgarh, Chakulia,

Baharagora and Gurabanda) and 231 gram panchayats. The district is rich in minerals and Iron

Ore, Copper, Uranium, Gold and Kynite are found aboundantly. Other details of the districts

are as follows:

Total population of the district is 22.93 lacs having almost same population in rural

(10.20 lacks) and urban (12.74 lacks) area. In the district 28.5 percent of the population

is tribal (Santhals, Oraons, Mundas, Hos etc.) Schedule Caste 4.85 percent and total

SC/ST population constitute 33.35 percent of the population

The total literacy rate of the district is 76.13 percent whereas for male it is 84.51

percent and for females it is reported 67.33 percent.

The sex ratio of the district (949) is found more than the average sex ratio (940) of

the country. (Census 2011)

The agriculture cultivable land is 165152 hectare and major land is under paddy

cultivation (126765 ha.), wheat (20538 ha.) and Pulse and oilseed (20538 ha.).

According to census 2001 total cultivators were 5.38 percent whereas 8.53 percent of

the population was agricultural labourers.

The total irrigated land area is 14731 Hectare and open wells and canals are the major

sources of irrigation in the district.

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Major crops of Kharif season are Paddy, Maize, Arhar, Urd, Moong, Kulthi and Nise;

Rabbi season ,Wheat, Mustrad, Linseed, Gram, Pea, Lentil; and vegetable like

Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomato, Brinjal, Potato, Pumpkin are grown in the district

HODSHANGABAD (MADHYA PRADESH)

Hoshangabad is among 51 districts of Madhya Pradesh and it lies in the central

Narmada valley and on the northern fringe of the Satupura Plateau. Hoshangabad district is

bounded by the districts of raisen to the north, Narsinghpur to the east, Chhindwara to the

southeast, Betul to the south, Harda to the west, and Sehore to the northwest.

Geographically it is located at 22 75’ North and 77 72’ East and has an average elevation of

912 feet. Climate of the district is normal with average rainfall 1340 mm. Narmada is the main

river of the district. The district has an area 5408.23sq.km out of which 2229.74 sq.km. comes

under forest area. There are seven blocks in the district (Bankehdi, Pipariya, Babai,

Hoshangabad, Kesla, SeoniMalwa) and 428 gram panchayats. The other details of the district

are as follows:

As per the census 2011, Hoshangabad had population of 12.41lacs and a large

proportion of population lives in rural areas (68.59 %) whereas only 31.41 percent of

the population lives in urban area.

Literacy rate of Hoshangabad is 75.29 percent and gender wise male and female

literacy is 83.35 and 66.45 respectively.

The sex ratio of the district is 912 for every 1000 males.

District Hoshangabad has long spread of fertile agriculture land and thus agriculture

the main source of the economy in this area. Around 22.61 percent of the population

of the district work contributes to the economy as cultivators and agricultural labours.

The net irrigated area of the district is 227795 hectares and 54.4 percent of the area

is irrigated by canals followed by open wells (19.8 %) and bore wells (19.0%).

The farmers employ rotation of crops and their major income depends on soya bean

and wheat crops in rabi and kharif season respectively whereas Jowar, Channa, Til,

Cotton, AlsiTuwar are other important crops.

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SATARA (MAHARASHTRA)

Satara is one of the 36 districts of Maharashtra and located in the western part

of Maharashtra, completely landlocked being surrounded by Ratnagiri district on the

West, Sangli district on the south, Solapur on the west, Pune on the north and Raigad

on the North West. Most of the central Satara district’s area falls in the river Krishna

basin and limited area falls in the river Bhima basin. The district lies between 17 5’ to

18 11’ North latitude and between 73 33’ to 74 54’ East longitude. It has an average

elevation of 2434 feet and average rainfall in the area is 1426 mm. the district covers

10,480 sqkms of area. There are eleven blocks in the district namely Satara, Karad,

Wai, Mahabaleshwar, Phaltan, Man, Khatav, Koregaon, Patan, Jaoli and Khandala and

1509 gram panchayat. The other details of the district are as follows:

According to 2011 census the total population of the district is 30.04 lacs. Major

portion of the population lives in rural area (81.0 %) whereas only 19.0 percent of the

population lives in urban area.

The literacy rate in the district is 78.52 percent as against the state average of 76.2

percent. Male literacy is 88.45 percent and the female literacy is 68.71percent.

The average sex ratio of the district is 988 per 1000 males

The total working population in the district is 21.86 lakhs, which is 43.77 percent of

the total district population. Out of total working population, more than half of the

working population (50.88%) is engaged in agriculture and allied activities.

Total irrigated area is 2.32 lac hectares and major source of irrigation for the district

are open wells (149 lac hectare) and canals (45.8 lac ha.).

Major crops of the area are pearl millet, jowar, groundnut, paddy and Soyabean (kharif

season) and wheat, sugarcane, chickpea and jowar (rabbi season). Other crops like

strawberry, mangoes, banana etc. are also very famous.

WEST GODAVARI (ANDHRA PRADESH)

West Godavari is one of the 13 districts, in the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra

Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is located at Eluru. It is surrounded by Khammam

district on the north, Krishna district and the Bay of Bengal on the south and on the east by

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_Andhra

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradesh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Pradesh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eluru

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river Godavari and Krishna district on the west. It lies between 16 15'-17 30' northern

latitudes and 80 55' and 81 55' eastern longitudes. The region mostly has a tropical climate

like the rest of the Coastal Andhra region with annual rainfall of 1076.2 mm. The district

occupies an area of 7742 sq.km and there are 47 mandals. In the district the total forest area

is 81,200 hectares, forming 10.49 percent of the total geographical area of the district. Further

82.80 percent of the area is covered by paddy, tobacco (4.86%), sugarcane (4.73%) and chilies

(1.29%). This district is also known as "the greenery of Andhra Pradesh".

According to the 2011 census West Godavari district has a total population of 39.36

lacs among which 20.54 percent live in urban and 79.46 percent in rural areas of East

Godavari.

The literacy rate of the district is 74.63 percent and on gender basis, male and female

literacy was 77.92 percent and 71.36 percent respectively.

East Godavari has a sex ratio of 1004 females for every 1000 males.

Above 70 percent of the workers are engaged in agriculture and allied actives and

nearly 37.0 percent of the population living in rural areas depends, upon agriculture

for its livelihood.

The district has net irrigated area of 364500 hectares and about 68.0 percent of the

irrigated area is mainly under canals. Tube wells and tank-g come next in the order of

source of irrigation.

The district is extremely fertile, getting water abundantly throughout the Cotton

barage built on the Godavari River at Dhavaleswaram. In the Delta, aquaculture,

coconut, lemon and rice are cultivated. The district is popularly known as the

Granary of India since about 50.0 percent of the state's rice production comes from

the district.

In the uplands, oil palm, sugarcane, corn, mango, banana and other fruits as well as

tobacco and cotton are produced. In the coastal belt of the district, prawns and fish

is exported to Japan and the United States.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coastal_Andhra

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Annexure II

Photographs of the Respondents in Action

Azola Cultivation

Women Farmer Marketing Fish

Women farmers vaccinating the poultry birds Field Day on Maize

Women farmers attending the Farm School Woman Farmer using Conoweeder

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Data Collection from the Woman Farmer Woman Farmer using Fodder Chaffer

Silk Worm rearing by Woman farmer Women Group involved in Handicrafts Making

Woman operating Paddy Transplanter Mat Nursery Preparation by Women Farmers

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Annexure III Tables related to Dimensions of Impact Index

Social Participation Table 1: Having an equal opportunities like fellow farmers

State

Total Andhra

Pradesh Assam Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Maharastra Uttarakhand

Social participation- equal opportunities

Disagree 0 0 3 3 1 4 11

.0% .0% 3.8% 3.8% 1.2% 6.0% 2.4%

Agree 46 23 56 47 46 26 244

57.5% 32.9% 70.0% 58.8% 57.5% 38.8% 53.4%

Strongly agree

34 47 21 30 33 37 202

42.5% 67.1% 26.2% 37.5% 41.2% 55.2% 44.2%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 2 : Participating freely in the festivals

State

Total Andhra


Participates freely in the festivals

With some inhibitions

2 2 3 6 5 6 24

2.5% 2.9% 3.8% 7.5% 6.2% 9.0% 5.3%

Freely 39 23 42 44 39 31 218

48.8% 32.9% 52.5% 55.0% 48.8% 46.3% 47.7%

More freely

39 45 35 30 36 30 215

48.8% 64.3% 43.8% 37.5% 45.0% 44.8% 47.0%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

95

Table 3: Interacting freely with people

State

Total Andhra


Interact frequently with people

Very occasionally

4 2 4 4 5 6 25

5.0% 2.9% 5.0% 5.0% 6.2% 9.0% 5.5%

Frequently 34 25 49 51 47 34 240

42.5% 35.7% 61.2% 63.8% 58.8% 50.7% 52.5%

More frequently

42 43 27 25 28 27 192

52.5% 61.4% 33.8% 31.2% 35.0% 40.3% 42.0%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 4: Whether an active member of the group

State

Total Andhra


Being an active memeber of the group

Not an active member

1 4 5 6 13 4 33

1.2% 5.7% 6.2% 7.5% 16.2% 6.0% 7.2%

Active member

40 30 59 48 38 40 255

50.0% 42.9% 73.8% 60.0% 47.5% 59.7% 55.8%

Very active member

39 36 16 26 29 23 169

48.8% 51.4% 20.0% 32.5% 36.2% 34.3% 37.0%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 5: Whether earning the respect of people

State

Total Andhra

Pradesh Assam Jharkhand

Madhya Pradesh Maharastra Uttarakhand

Earn the respect of people

Did not happen

0 3 2 4 7 6 22

.0% 4.3% 2.5% 5.0% 8.8% 9.0% 4.8%

Certainly

43 23 60 48 51 33 258

53.8% 32.9% 75.0% 60.0% 63.8% 49.3% 56.5%

Very certainly

37 44 18 28 22 28 177

46.2% 62.9% 22.5% 35.0% 27.5% 41.8% 38.7%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

96

Table 6: Whether recognized in the locality by the people

State

Total Andhra


Madhya Pradesh

Maharastra

Uttarakhand

Recognized in the locality by the people

Not recognized

1 2 3 3 8 4 21

1.2% 2.9% 3.8% 3.8% 10.0% 6.0% 4.6%

Recognized

49 28 59 51 52 31 270

61.2% 40.0% 73.8% 63.8% 65.0% 46.3% 59.1%

Very much recognized

30 40 18 26 20 32 166

37.5% 57.1% 22.5% 32.5% 25.0% 47.8% 36.3%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Technological and skill upgradation Table 7: Accessibility to new technologies

State

Total Andhra


Skill up-gradation-accessibility to new technologies

Not accessible

1 1 5 3 3 1 14

1.2% 1.4% 6.2% 3.8% 3.8% 1.5% 3.1%

Accessible 50 17 55 41 38 24 225

62.5% 24.3% 68.8% 51.2% 47.5% 35.8% 49.2%

More accessible

29 52 20 36 39 42 218

36.2% 74.3% 25.0% 45.0% 48.8% 62.7% 47.7%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 8: Whether acquired knowledge and understanding of tools

State

Total Andhra


Acquired knowledge and understanding of tools

No knowledge acquired

16 1 6 3 6 8 40

20.0% 1.4% 7.5% 3.8% 7.5% 11.9% 8.8%

Moderate 33 24 58 51 47 32 245

41.2% 34.3% 72.5% 63.8% 58.8% 47.8% 53.6%

Very significant

31 45 16 26 27 27 172

38.8% 64.3% 20.0% 32.5% 33.8% 40.3% 37.6%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

97

Table 9: Whether learnt new skills

State

Total Andhra

Pradesh Assam Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Maharastra Uttar Pradesh

Learnt new skills

No new skills acquired

3 2 5 4 3 5 22

3.8% 2.9% 6.2% 5.0% 3.8% 7.5% 4.8%

Moderate 47 19 58 49 47 41 261

58.8% 27.1% 72.5% 61.2% 58.8% 61.2% 57.1%

Very significant

30 49 17 27 30 21 174

37.5% 70.0% 21.2% 33.8% 37.5% 31.3% 38.1%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 10: Whether applied new technologies

State

Total Andhra


Applied new technologies

No new technologies adopted

2 1 4 1 3 7 18

2.5% 1.4% 5.0% 1.2% 3.8% 10.4% 3.9%

Adopted moderately

43 23 56 43 42 40 247

53.8% 32.9% 70.0% 53.8% 52.5% 59.7% 54.0%

Adopted very significantly

35 46 20 36 35 20 192

43.8% 65.7% 25.0% 45.0% 43.8% 29.9% 42.0%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

98

Table 11: whether the use of new technologies reduced the physical and mental drudgery

State

Total Andhra


Use of new technologies reduced the physical and mental drudgery

No reduction

20 3 11 5 16 22 77

25.0% 4.3% 13.8% 6.2% 20.0% 32.8% 16.8%

Reduction to a moderate account

37 27 52 47 49 39 251

46.2% 38.6% 65.0% 58.8% 61.2% 58.2% 54.9%

Reduction to a significant account

23 40 17 28 15 6 129

28.8% 57.1% 21.2% 35.0% 18.8% 9.0% 28.2%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 12: Whether confident that they can disseminate the new technologies

State

Total Andhra


Confident that he can disseminate the technologies

Not confident

1 3 7 3 6 2 22

1.2% 4.3% 8.8% 3.8% 7.5% 3.0% 4.8%

Confident 35 34 54 53 50 31 257

43.8% 48.6% 67.5% 66.2% 62.5% 46.3% 56.2%

Very much confident

44 33 19 24 24 34 178

55.0% 47.1% 23.8% 30.0% 30.0% 50.7% 38.9%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

99

Economic impact Table 13: Adoption of new technologies has reduced the cost of cultivation

State

Total Andhra


Economic impact- adoption of new technologies have reduced the cost of cultivation

No reduction

16 2 12 2 10 5 47

20.0% 2.9% 15.0% 2.5% 12.5% 7.5% 10.3%

Reduction to a moderate account

33 29 51 44 47 34 238

41.2% 41.4% 63.8% 55.0% 58.8% 50.7% 52.1%

Reduction to a significant account

31 39 17 34 23 28 172

38.8% 55.7% 21.2% 42.5% 28.8% 41.8% 37.6%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 14: Whether adoption led to improvement in the yield rates

State

Total Andhra


Adoption led to improvement in the yield rates

No improvement

8 3 12 3 2 3 31

10.0% 4.3% 15.0% 3.8% 2.5% 4.5% 6.8%

To a moderate extent

31 24 53 41 42 33 224

38.8% 34.3% 66.2% 51.2% 52.5% 49.3% 49.0%

To a significant extent

41 43 15 36 36 31 202

51.2% 61.4% 18.8% 45.0% 45.0% 46.3% 44.2%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

100

Table 15: Whether adoption led to improvement in the quality of produce

State

Total Andhra


Adoption led to improvement in the quality of produce

No improvement

5 2 9 2 3 5 26

6.2% 2.9% 11.2% 2.5% 3.8% 7.5% 5.7%


32 26 55 51 43 30 237

40.0% 37.1% 68.8% 63.8% 53.8% 44.8% 51.9%


43 42 16 27 34 32 194

53.8% 60.0% 20.0% 33.8% 42.5% 47.8% 42.5%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 16: Extent to which there is value addition to the produce

State

Total Andhra


Value addition to the purchases

No improvement

44 8 23 6 27 27 135

55.0% 11.4% 28.8% 7.5% 33.8% 40.3% 29.5%


24 45 47 55 31 37 239

30.0% 64.3% 58.8% 68.8% 38.8% 55.2% 52.3%


12 17 10 19 22 3 83

15.0% 24.3% 12.5% 23.8% 27.5% 4.5% 18.2%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

101

Table 17 : Whether ATMA facilitated better linkages?

State

Total Andhra


ATMA facilitated better linkages

Not facilitated

43 20 34 28 33 20 178

53.8% 28.6% 42.5% 35.0% 41.2% 29.9% 38.9%

Facilitated moderately

30 46 36 45 32 41 230

37.5% 65.7% 45.0% 56.2% 40.0% 61.2% 50.3%

Facilitated very well

7 4 10 7 15 6 49

8.8% 5.7% 12.5% 8.8% 18.8% 9.0% 10.7%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 18: Whether farm advisory helped to increase farm income

State

Total Andhra


Better farm advisory services helped to increase farm income

Not helped 10 2 13 0 6 2 33

12.5% 2.9% 16.2% .0% 7.5% 3.0% 7.2%

Helped moderately

37 32 55 58 43 45 270

46.2% 45.7% 68.8% 72.5% 53.8% 67.2% 59.1%

Helped very significantly

33 36 12 22 31 20 154

41.2% 51.4% 15.0% 27.5% 38.8% 29.9% 33.7%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

102

Psychological and Managerial Table 19 : Whether feeling motivated to actively participate

State

Total Andhra


Madhya Pradesh

Maharastra

Uttarakhand

Psychological and Managerial impact- feel motivated to actively participate

Not motivated

6 2 6 3 4 1 22

7.5% 2.9% 7.5% 3.8% 5.0% 1.5% 4.8%

Moderately motivated

47 19 61 52 46 23 248

58.8% 27.1% 76.2% 65.0% 57.5% 34.3% 54.3%

Highly motvated

27 49 13 25 30 43 187

33.8% 70.0% 16.2% 31.2% 37.5% 64.2% 40.9%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 20 : whether encouraged to undertake scientific cultivation

State

Total Andhra


Encouraged to undertake scientific cultivation

Not encouraged

11 2 5 1 1 1 21

13.8% 2.9% 6.2% 1.2% 1.2% 1.5% 4.6%

Moderately encouraged

34 23 54 48 61 32 252

42.5% 32.9% 67.5% 60.0% 76.2% 47.8% 55.1%

Very much encouraged

35 45 21 31 18 34 184

43.8% 64.3% 26.2% 38.8% 22.5% 50.7% 40.3%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

103

Table 21 : whether being able to plan and undertake farm activities

State

Total Andhra

Pradesh Assam Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Maharastra

Uttar Pradesh

Able to plan and undertake farm activities

Low ability

8 4 6 4 7 8 37

10.0% 5.7% 7.5% 5.0% 8.8% 11.9% 8.1%

Moderate ability

39 19 55 49 51 31 244

48.8% 27.1% 68.8% 61.2% 63.8% 46.3% 53.4%

High ability

33 47 19 27 22 28 176

41.2% 67.1% 23.8% 33.8% 27.5% 41.8% 38.5%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 22: Whether capable of guiding fellow farmers

State

Total Andhra


Uttar Pradesh

Capable of guiding fellow farmers

Not capable

3 4 4 3 4 12 30

3.8% 5.7% 5.0% 3.8% 5.0% 17.9% 6.6%

Moderately capable

37 23 52 47 55 27 241

46.2% 32.9% 65.0% 58.8% 68.8% 40.3% 52.7%

Highly capable

40 43 24 30 21 28 186

50.0% 61.4% 30.0% 37.5% 26.2% 41.8% 40.7%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 23 : Whether confident to take decisions regarding farm activities

State

Total Andhra


Confident to take decisions regading farm activities

Not confident

3 2 6 4 5 5 25

3.8% 2.9% 7.5% 5.0% 6.2% 7.5% 5.5%

Moderately confident

38 35 55 45 46 40 259

47.5% 50.0% 68.8% 56.2% 57.5% 59.7% 56.7%

Very much confident

39 33 19 31 29 22 173

48.8% 47.1% 23.8% 38.8% 36.2% 32.8% 37.9%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

104

Table 24 : whether looking forward to innovative ideas in farming

State

Total Andhra


Look forward to innovative ideas in farming

Not thinking of this matter at all

7 2 5 7 5 7 33

8.8% 2.9% 6.2% 8.8% 6.2% 10.4% 7.2%


40 28 51 40 47 27 233

50.0% 40.0% 63.8% 50.0% 58.8% 40.3% 51.0%


33 40 24 33 28 33 191

41.2% 57.1% 30.0% 41.2% 35.0% 49.3% 41.8%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 25 : whether being able to express and communicate freely and properly

State

Total Andhra


Able to express and communicate freely and properly

Low ability

3 4 5 5 6 3 26

3.8% 5.7% 6.2% 6.2% 7.5% 4.5% 5.7%

Moderate ability

34 31 52 41 56 30 244

42.5% 44.3% 65.0% 51.2% 70.0% 44.8% 53.4%

High ability

43 35 23 34 18 34 187

53.8% 50.0% 28.8% 42.5% 22.5% 50.7% 40.9%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

105

Improvement in extension services Table 26: Whether frequent visits of extension officers has improved the extension contact

State

Total Andhra


Frequent visits of the ext. officers have improved the extension contact

No improvement

0 1 12 5 0 0 18

.0% 1.4% 15.0% 6.2% .0% .0% 3.9%


45 9 45 35 47 18 199

56.2% 12.9% 56.2% 43.8% 58.8% 26.9% 43.5%


35 60 23 40 33 49 240

43.8% 85.7% 28.8% 50.0% 41.2% 73.1% 52.5%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 27 : Whether there is any improvement in the contact with the line departmental officials

State

Total Andhra


Improvemnt in the contact with line department officials

No improvement

11 3 11 9 6 1 41

13.8% 4.3% 13.8% 11.2% 7.5% 1.5% 9.0%


37 21 46 43 49 25 221

46.2% 30.0% 57.5% 53.8% 61.2% 37.3% 48.4%


32 46 23 28 25 41 195

40.0% 65.7% 28.8% 35.0% 31.2% 61.2% 42.7%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

106

Table 28 : Frequency of interactions with university/ KVK scientists

State

Total Andhra


Frequency of interactions with University/KVK scientists extension contact

Not helped at all

21 8 8 17 20 6 80

26.2% 11.4% 10.0% 21.2% 25.0% 9.0% 17.5%


40 41 53 52 41 49 276

50.0% 58.6% 66.2% 65.0% 51.2% 73.1% 60.4%


19 21 19 11 19 12 101

23.8% 30.0% 23.8% 13.8% 23.8% 17.9% 22.1%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 29 : Whether presence of farmer friend helped in strengthening contact

State

Total Andhra


Madhya Pradesh Maharastra

Uttarakhand

Presence of farmer friend helped in strengtehning contact

Not helped at all

30 68 2 15 7 65 187

37.5% 97.1% 2.5% 18.8% 8.8% 97.0% 40.9%


32 1 60 36 35 1 165

40.0% 1.4% 75.0% 45.0% 43.8% 1.5% 36.1%


18 1 18 29 38 1 105

22.5% 1.4% 22.5% 36.2% 47.5% 1.5% 23.0%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

107

Table 30 : Whether farmers’ organizations helped in better access to extension services

State

Total Andhra


Farmers' Organizations helped in better access to extension services

Not helped at all

55 24 18 39 11 60 207

68.8% 34.3% 22.5% 48.8% 13.8% 89.6% 45.3%


20 33 50 33 58 6 200

25.0% 47.1% 62.5% 41.2% 72.5% 9.0% 43.8%


5 13 12 8 11 1 50

6.2% 18.6% 15.0% 10.0% 13.8% 1.5% 10.9%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 31 : Whether opportunity is enhanced to participate in field days

State

Total Andhra


Uttar Pradesh

Enhanced opportunity to participate in field days, KisanGhosties etc.

Opportunity not enhanced

20 9 6 7 18 12 72

25.0% 12.9% 7.5% 8.8% 22.5% 17.9% 15.8%


42 42 43 47 55 48 277

52.5% 60.0% 53.8% 58.8% 68.8% 71.6% 60.6%


18 19 31 26 7 7 108

22.5% 27.1% 38.8% 32.5% 8.8% 10.4% 23.6%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 32 : Whether the farmer got awareness on quality agri inputs and sources of procurement

108

State

Total Andhra


Uttar Pradesh

Got awareness on quality agri-inputs and sources of procurement

Awareness not enhanced

22 3 8 4 3 5 45

27.5% 4.3% 10.0% 5.0% 3.8% 7.5% 9.8%


40 39 50 55 57 54 295

50.0% 55.7% 62.5% 68.8% 71.2% 80.6% 64.6%


18 28 22 21 20 8 117

22.5% 40.0% 27.5% 26.2% 25.0% 11.9% 25.6%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 33: Whether awareness has gone up on schemes and programs of Agric. and allied aspects?

State

Total Andhra


Uttar Pradesh

Enhanced awareness on schemes and programmes of agri and allied departments

Awareness not enhanced

14 6 6 8 5 2 41

17.5% 8.6% 7.5% 10.0% 6.2% 3.0% 9.0%


50 26 58 53 47 46 280

62.5% 37.1% 72.5% 66.2% 58.8% 68.7% 61.3%


16 38 16 19 28 19 136

20.0% 54.3% 20.0% 23.8% 35.0% 28.4% 29.8%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 34 : Whether aware of Kisan call centre and its toll free number

109

State

Total Andhra


Uttar Pradesh

Aware of Kisan call centre and its toll free number

Not aware at all

29 17 65 59 16 34 220

36.2% 24.3% 81.2% 73.8% 20.0% 50.7% 48.1%

Not fully aware

37 44 11 14 45 23 174

46.2% 62.9% 13.8% 17.5% 56.2% 34.3% 38.1%

Yes 14 9 4 7 19 10 63

17.5% 12.9% 5.0% 8.8% 23.8% 14.9% 13.8%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Table 35 : Whether access to farm information through print and electronic media?

State

Total Andhra


Improved access to farm information through print and electronic media

Access not improved

30 10 53 44 14 9 160

37.5% 14.3% 66.2% 55.0% 17.5% 13.4% 35.0%


43 56 25 32 56 53 265

53.8% 80.0% 31.2% 40.0% 70.0% 79.1% 58.0%


7 4 2 4 10 5 32

8.8% 5.7% 2.5% 5.0% 12.5% 7.5% 7.0%

Total 80 70 80 80 80 67 457

100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

110

Impact of ATMA Table 1 : Average scores on impact dimensions according to literacy level

Educational level

Score on social

participation

Score on technologica

l and skill upgradation

Score on Economic

impact

Score on psychologica

l an managerial

impact

Score on improvement in extension

services

illiterate Mean 13.523 13.178 12.533 15.449 19.084

N 107 107 107 107 107

Able to read and write

Mean 14.300 12.700 12.400 15.950 19.100

N 20 20 20 20 20

Primary Mean 13.856 13.805 12.644 16.212 19.669

N 118 118 118 118 118

High school Mean 14.863 14.568 13.266 16.928 21.151

N 139 139 139 139 139

Intermediate Mean 14.140 14.070 12.884 16.767 20.488

N 43 43 43 43 43

Graduate Mean 15.333 16.000 14.000 20.333 23.000

N 3 3 3 3 3

Post graduate Mean 14.111 14.185 13.593 17.333 21.519

N 27 27 27 27 27

Total Mean 14.155 13.904 12.884 16.385 20.166

N 457 457 457 457 457

Table 2: Average scores on impact dimensions according to subject in which training was received within the district

111

c-activity-within district

Score on social

participation

Score on technological and skill

upgradation

Score on Economic

impact


an managerial impact


services

Paddy Mean 14.265 14.588 13.235 16.529 21.235

N 34 34 34 34 34

Wheat Mean 14.600 13.400 14.200 16.600 19.400

N 5 5 5 5 5

Horticulture Mean 13.638 13.483 12.448 15.741 19.845

N 58 58 58 58 58

Pulses Mean 15.833 15.167 14.667 18.917 25.000

N 12 12 12 12 12

Millets Mean 14.000 12.667 10.667 16.000 16.667

N 3 3 3 3 3

Large ruminanant

Mean 14.750 14.393 14.000 17.143 21.750

N 28 28 28 28 28

Egg laying birds

Mean 14.028 14.389 12.917 16.472 19.528

N 36 36 36 36 36

Fisheries Mean 15.400 14.400 12.800 16.400 17.800

N 5 5 5 5 5

Sericulture Mean 11.000 12.500 12.250 16.250 16.250

N 4 4 4 4 4


Mean 13.933 12.767 12.600 15.233 20.267

N 30 30 30 30 30


Mean 14.750 13.250 10.750 15.750 17.375

N 8 8 8 8 8

Cropping system

Mean 13.000 12.000 11.400 15.000 16.800

N 5 5 5 5 5

Integareted farming

Mean 16.000 15.750 15.083 18.083 22.000

N 12 12 12 12 12

Group activity

Mean 15.000 16.000 14.000 20.000 24.000

N 1 1 1 1 1

Mushroom Mean 14.400 14.400 10.600 18.000 20.000

N 5 5 5 5 5

Organic farming

Mean 14.000 12.667 11.667 14.667 18.667

N 3 3 3 3 3

112

Composite farming

Mean 16.750 16.450 14.000 19.400 22.150

N 20 20 20 20 20

Total Mean 14.413 14.130 13.030 16.617 20.461

N 269 269 269 269 269

Table3 : Average scores on impact dimensions according to the subject on which demonstration was conducted outside the state

113

Demonstration_activity_outside the state

Score on social

participation

Score on technological and skill

upgradation

Score on Economic

impact




services

Paddy Mean 14.095 13.667 12.643 15.929 19.952

N 42 42 42 42 42

Wheat Mean 14.300 13.700 14.000 15.300 19.000

N 10 10 10 10 10


N 23 23 23 23 23

Pulses Mean 13.063 13.938 13.687 16.438 19.437

N 16 16 16 16 16

Millets Mean 14.100 13.500 12.200 16.500 19.100

N 10 10 10 10 10

Oilseeds Mean 13.000 15.000 14.000 20.000 22.000

N 1 1 1 1 1

Large ruminants

Mean 15.125 14.188 14.125 17.125 21.000

N 16 16 16 16 16

Egg laying birds

Mean 15.833 15.375 13.958 18.125 21.208

N 24 24 24 24 24

Fisheries Mean 14.000 12.750 13.250 14.875 16.000

N 8 8 8 8 8


N 1 1 1 1 1


Mean 17.000 15.500 11.500 18.500 20.000

N 2 2 2 2 2


Mean 15.500 15.000 12.500 17.000 24.000

N 2 2 2 2 2

Cropping system

Mean 13.125 13.875 12.000 15.750 19.750

N 8 8 8 8 8

Integareted farming

Mean 15.000 12.000 11.500 16.500 17.500

N 2 2 2 2 2

Organic farming

Mean 17.000 16.000 16.000 19.000 22.000

N 1 1 1 1 1

Total Mean 14.343 13.988 13.217 16.524 19.946

N 166 166 166 166 166

114

Table 4 : Average scores on impact dimensions according to the subject covered in the exposure visit within the district

Exposure visit- activity-within the district

Score on social participation

Score on technological

and skill upgradation

Score on Economic

impact




services

Paddy Mean 12.889 12.667 12.333 16.556 18.667

N 9 9 9 9 9

Wheat Mean 16.000 18.000 17.000 20.000 24.000

N 1 1 1 1 1


N 30 30 30 30 30

Millets Mean 12.000 13.000 12.000 14.000 17.000

N 1 1 1 1 1

Large ruminants

Mean 15.462 14.231 13.769 17.000 21.692

N 13 13 13 13 13

Egg laying birds

Mean 13.200 12.800 12.200 16.400 20.400

N 5 5 5 5 5

Fisheries Mean 15.000 15.000 11.000 20.000 23.000

N 1 1 1 1 1


N 1 1 1 1 1


Mean 16.143 15.000 12.810 17.905 21.000

N 21 21 21 21 21


Mean 18.000 13.000 8.000 13.000 13.000

N 1 1 1 1 1

Cropping system

Mean 15.909 16.545 15.364 19.091 21.364

N 11 11 11 11 11

Mushroom Mean 18.000 18.000 16.000 20.000 26.000

N 1 1 1 1 1

Total Mean 14.747 14.158 13.305 17.053 20.600

N 95 95 95 95 95

115

Table 5 : Average scores on impact dimensions according to how frequently the women farmers attended the farm school

Whether attended all the classes of farm school?

Score on social

participation

Score on technologica

l and skill upgradation

Score on Economic

impact

Score on psychological an

managerial impact


services

Rarely Mean 10.000 11.000 11.000 7.000 10.000

N 1 1 1 1 1

Occasionally Mean 14.786 13.643 12.857 17.071 20.071

N 14 14 14 14 14

Regularly Mean 15.087 15.217 13.978 17.935 21.880

N 92 92 92 92 92

Total Mean 15.000 14.972 13.804 17.720 21.533

N 107 107 107 107 107

116

ANNEXURES IV

Interview Schedules National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE)Rajendranagar, Hyderabad

Impact of the Interventions made for Gender Mainstreaming under Extension Reforms

PART I (General Information)

1. Name:

2. Husband/ Father’s Name:

3. Age :

4. Education: i. Illiterate ii. Able to read and write iii. Primary

iv. High School vi. Intermediate vi. Diploma vii. Degree and above (specify)

5. Annual income

Net income after

expenditure

Farm income Rs. Non - farm income Rs.

i. Crop Cultivation i. Wage labour

ii. Animal husbandry ii. Service

iii. Horticulture iii. Shop

iv. Fisheries iv. Any other

v. Sericulture

Grand Total

5. Family Type: i. Joint ii. Nuclear

6. Marital status: i. Married ii. Un married iii. Widow iv. Divorced

7. Total land holding (cents)

Land Own Leased In Leased Out Operational

Wet

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR WOMEN FARMERS

Schedule No. Date:

State: District: Block: Village:

117

Dry

8. Is there any land registered on your name? Yes / No

If yes, how many cents of land is registered on your name: _______Cents

9. Experience in farming: _______years

10. Do you have a separate bank account? Yes / No

If yes, when did you open it and why?

PART II

1. Are you aware of the ATMA? Yes No

If Yes, How did you come to know

Through:

i. BTM

ii. SMS

iii. Extension functionaries (Specify) ____________

iv. Farmer friend

v. Fellow farmer/ group members

vi. Other sources ( Radio, T.V, Newspaper etc) Specify: ___________

2. Are you aware of ATMA activities: Yes No

3. Did you participate in any activities of ATMA? Yes No

If yes, can you give the details

Activities Subject organization Duration,

& Place

Specific

learning

Adoption of the

learning

Yes /

No

If yes details, If no reasons

A. Farm Oriented Activities i. Training of women farmers a. Outside the state

b. Within State

118

c. Within district level

ii. Demonstration

iii. Exposure visits of farmers

a. Outside the State

b. Within the State

c. Within the District

iv. Are you a member in any of the groups listed below: (Specify)

i. Farmer Interest Group ( FIG)

ii. Self Help Group (SHG)

iii. MahilaMandal

iv. Dairy cooperative

v. Any other (pl. specify)_________________

If yes, a. Have you attended any

capacity building program

related to your group

activities? Yes/ No

If yes, please give details

b. What are the activities of your group? Specify i.__________________

ii. _________________

iii.____________________

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c. Whether your SHG/ FIG has received seed money/ revolving fund? Yes / No If yes, how the revolving fund was utilized.

i. Utilized for procuring the critical inputs collectively and distributed among the members

ii. Purchased farm implements and for the usage of group members

iii. Utilized for processing, value addition and marketing activities as a group

iv. Utilized for leasing-in land for cultivation of crops by the group

v. Distributed among the members for individual activities

vi. All the revolving fund was given to one member for interest

vii. Any other (pl. specify) d. Whether your group has received any rewards and incentives:

Yes / No If yes, please give details

Name of

the reward

Year Amount Reason for the reward

e. Did you receive any Farmer award

Yes / No If yes, please give details

Name of the award

Year Amount Reason for the award

B. Farm Information Dissemination i. Have you attended any of the following

events?

Events No. of times attended

1. District level exhibition

2. KisanMelas

3. Fruits and Vegetables shows

4. Any other (Pl. specify)

ii. Did you receive any information from ATMA in

the following form?

Information source

1. Leaf lets / Brochures/

Pamphlets

Yes/ No

2. Newsletters Yes/ No

3. Local Advertisements Yes/ No

4. Any other (Pl. specify)

iii. Do you have any access to technology

through the following

Information source Yes / No

1. KISOK (local names specify) Yes/ No

2. KCC Yes/ No

3. Mobile SMS Yes/ No

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4. CDs Yes/ No

C. Research- Extension- Farmer linkages

i. Did you interact with the scientists of SAUs /

research stations/ KVKs during

i. Exposure visits Yes/ No

ii. Training programme Yes/ No

iii. Field days / KisanGhostis Yes/ No

iv. Farm Schools Yes/ No

v. Demonstration fields Yes/ No

vi. Any other (Pl. specify)

ii. Are you aware of the name and mobile number of the designated expert from KVK/SAUs? Yes / No D. Innovative Activity

1. Farm School

i. Did you participate in any farm school

organized by ATMA?

Yes / No

If Yes Please indicate the sector

Sectors Tick ( ) Remarks

Agriculture

Horticulture

Fisheries

Animal

Husbandry

Sericulture

Any other

ii. Have you attended all the classes in the farm school? (Regular / Occasionally / Rarely )

iii. How do you find the utility of the farm school?

a. Very useful b. Moderately useful c. Not useful

2. Are you aware of the farmer friend in your village? Yes / No

i. If yes, how frequently you interact with the farmer friend?

a. once a week b. once in a fortnight c. once a month d. once in two month or more

v. Mention the services provided by the farmer friend

a. Technical information

b. Information on programs and schemes

c. Drawing soil samples and delivering the soil test results

d. Helps in mobilizing the farmers / group

e. Takes feedback

vi. Whether the information received from the farmer friend was satisfactory? Yes / No

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4. Did the functionaries consult you before organizing any training, demonstration, exposure visits in your

area? Yes / No

If yes, how? 4. Are you aware of the cost of demonstrations Yes / No

5. Whether you have received inputs for the demonstration from ATMA? Yes / No

If yes, in what form

i. Direct cash payment or cash deposited in your bank account

ii. Inputs purchased by ATMA and handed over to you

7. Did you find these activities need based i. Fully ii. Partially iii. Not at all 8. How often the following officials interact with you

Categories PD Dy. PD BTM SMS Any other Very Frequently

Occasionally

On request

Never

INDEX

9. Impact of ATMA activities on women farmers: Scale

1. Impact on social participation

i. Have equal opportunities on par with fellow

farmers

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree

ii. Participates freely in the festivals and rituals

events of the village

More Freely Freely With Some Inhibitions

iii. Interact frequently with people in the community More Frequently

Frequently Very Occasionally

iv. Active member of the group of the community Very Active

Member Active

Member Not an Active

Member

v. Earn the respect of people in the village Very Certainly Certainly Did not Happen

vi. Recognized in the locality by the people Very Much Recognized

Recognized Not Recognized

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2. Impact on technological and skill up gradation

i. Accessibility to new technologies related to agriculture and allied activities

More Accessible

Accessible Not Accessible

ii. Acquired knowledge and understanding of tools and equipment used in agriculture and allied sector

Very Significant Moderate No Knowledge Acquired

iii. Learnt new skills to perform activities in agriculture and allied sectors.

Very Significant Moderate No New Skills Acquired

iv. Adopted new technologies Adopted Very

Significant Adopted

Moderately No New

Technologies Adopted

v. Use of new technologies reduced the physical

and mental drudgery Reduction to a

Significant Extent

Reduction to a Moderate

Extent

No Reduction

vi. Confident about the technologies which I can disseminate to other farmers

Very Much Confident

Confident Not Confident

3. Economic impact

i. Adoption of improved technologies have reduced the cost of cultivation

Reduction to a Significant

Extent

Reduction to a Moderate

Extent

No Reduction

ii. Adoption of improved technologies have

increased yield

To a Significant Extent

To a Moderate

Extent

No Improvement

iii. Adoption of improved technologies have improved the quality of produce


To a Moderate

Extent

No Improvement

iv. Value addition to the produces has helped in

fetching better prices


To a Moderate

Extent

No Improvement

v. ATMA facilitated better linkages with the market Facilitated Very Well

Facilitated Moderately

Not Facilitated

vi. Better farm advisory services helped to increase

farm income

Helped Very Significantly

Helped Moderately

Not Helped

4. Impact on psychological and Managerial aspects

i. Feel motivated to actively participate in farm related activities

Highly Motivated

Moderately Motivated

Not Motivated

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ii. Encouraged to undertake scientific cultivation Very Much Encouraged

Moderately Encouraged

Not Encouraged

iii. Able to plan and undertake farm activities in a systematic manner

High Ability Moderate Ability

Low Ability

iv. Capable of guiding fellow farmers Highly Capable Moderately Capable

Not Capable

v. Confident to take decisions regarding farm activities

Very Much Confident

Moderately Confident

Not Confident

vi. Look forward for innovative ideas in farming To A Significant Extent

To A Moderate

Extent

Not thinking of this matter at

all

vii. Able to express and communicate freely and properly

High Ability Moderate Ability

Low Ability

5. Improvement in extension services

i. Frequent visits of the extension functionaries to the village has improved the extension contact of women farmers


To a Moderate

Extent

No Improvement

ii. Contact with line departments officials has improved


To a Moderate

Extent

No Improvement

iii. Frequency of interactions with University/KVK Scientists has increased


To a Moderate

Extent

No Increase

iv. Presence of Farmer Friend in the village helped in strengthening extension contact


To a Moderate

Extent

Not Helped at All

v. Farmer’s Organization (FIGs / CIGs) helped in better access to extension services


To a Moderate

Extent

Not Helped at All

vi. Enhanced opportunity to participate in Field days, KisanGoshti, Exhibition, Campaign, KrishiMela, Exposure Visits, etc


To a Moderate

Extent

Opportunity Not Enhanced

vii. Got awareness on quality agri-inputs and sources of procurement


To a Moderate

Extent

Awareness Not Improved

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viii. Enhanced awareness on schemes and programmes of agri and allied departments


To a Moderate

Extent

Awareness Not Enhanced

ix. Aware of Kisan Call Center and it’s Toll free No (1800 180 1551)

Yes Not Fully

Not Aware at All

x. Improved access to farm information through print and electronic media


To a Moderate

Extent

Access Not Improved

10. Do you feel that you have improved access to the extension functionaries because of the

ATMA scheme? Yes / No

11. Did you face any constraints in attending/ participating in the activities organized under ATMA

Scheme? Tick ( ) the constraints you faced.

Constraints Training

Exposure visits

Demonstration

Working in group

Attending meetings

Kisanmelas and other

events Topic was not

relevant

Time not appropriate

Selection of the beneficiary not proper

Venue or place was not convenient

Duration was inadequate

Information was insufficient

Poor facilities

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Inadequate transport facilities

Poor communication from the officials about the programs

Less support and cooperation from the extension functionaries

Inputs were not provided on time

Other constraints:

Overloaded with domestic work

Not having ownership of the land

Restriction from the family members

Male dominance

Any other (specify)______________

12. Do you have any suggestions for improving access to extension services to the women farmers? If yes, How? 1. 2. 3.

126

National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE)

Rajendranagar, Hyderabad


Name: ___________________________ Age: ________

Education: ________ Landholding:

Are you a member of any FIG/CIG/SHG: Which sector do you represent? a. Agriculture b. Horticulture c. Livestock d. Sericulture e. Fisheries f. Any other _________

1. Are you a member in ______________ a. Governing Board (GB) b. DFAC c. BFAC

2. Since how long you are the member of the committee a. Less than one year b. 1-2 years c. more than 2 years 3. Your nomination to the GB/ DFAC / BFAC isdone based on

a. Nomination by the CIG b. Nomination by the BFAC/DFAC c. Selection by majority d. Selection on consensus e. Selection by the BTT f. Selection by the MahilaMandal g. Selection by the Yuvakmandal h. Selection by the Block Development council i. Any other pl. specify __________ j. Not aware

4. Have you received orientation on the roles of GB/ DFAC / BFAC members in ATMA? Yes/ No

5. What is your role in GB/ DFAC / BFAC?

S. No Roles Yes / No

a. Collecting information on the needs and problems of the women farmer and giving feedback

b. Providing inputs for prioritizing the farmers needs

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR WOMEN FARMERS REPRESENTATIVES

Schedule No. Date:


127

c. Helps in preparation of the Block Action Plan/District Action Plans

d. Helps in formation and nurturing of Farmers Interest Groups / Commodity Interest Groups

e. Any other

6. How often the GB/ DFAC / BFAC meeting takes place? S. No Intervals GB DFAC BFAC

a. Once in month

b. Quarterly

c. Half-yearly

d. Yearly

7. Do you attend the meetings regularly? Yes / No

If no, anyone on your behalf from your family attends the meetings? (Specify)

8. When did you attend the last meeting of GB/ DFAC/ BFAC and what were the issues discussed?

9. What is your perception about the conduct of this committee meetings?

Yes/No a. Meetings are conducted regularly

b. Deliberations are made seriously c. Meetings are conducted at appropriate time / seasons d. Committee members attend the meeting regularly e. Committee members participates actively and gives suggestions f. BTT members encourage farmers to give feedback g. Meeting is only a ritual h. BTT doesn’t bother about farmers feedback in finalizing the BAPs

10. Do you have any constraints in attending the GB/ DFAC/ BFAC meetings? S. No Constraints Yes/ No

a. Delay in communication from the department officials b. Long distance of the meeting venue from the village c. No provision for travel allowances d. Meeting coincide with the peak agriculture periods e. My feedback and opinions were not given due weightage by the committee

members

f. Waste of time

g. Overburdened with family responsibilities

h. Spouse/family members do not allow to attend the meetings

i. Any others

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11. Do you share the information / decisions of the meeting with the women farmer when you go back to your village? Yes/ No

If yes what is the platform for sharing the information?

a. Sharing information informally whenever we meet each other

b. Discussion in the CIG’s/SHG’s weekly/monthly meetings

c. Organizing special meetings for sharing the information

d. Any other (pl specify) ___________________________________

12. Please mention the merits in participation of women representatives in the GB/ DFAC/ BFAC for the women farmers

a. _______________________________________

b. _______________________________________

c. _______________________________________

d. _______________________________________

13. Do you think the BAPs/DAP are addressing the women farmer concerns / issues?Yes/ No What are your suggestions for helping the women farmers to have more access to extension activities / government schemes.

a. _______________________________________

b. _______________________________________

c. _______________________________________

d. _______________________________________

129

National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE)

Rajendranagar, Hyderabad


PART I

1. Name:

2. Age:

3. Designation:

4. Length of Experience in the department (No. of years):

5. Association with the ATMA (No. of Years):

6. Education: a. Upto Higher Secondary b. Intermediate c. Diploma

d. Graduation. e. Post-graduation & above.

7. Jurisdiction : i. No. of villages_________

ii. No. of blocks_________

iii. Entire district

PART – II

1. Activities implemented for the women farmers at district / block level

Activities Sector Units No. of

women

Expenditure Impact/

Remarks

A. Farm Oriented Activities

i. Training of women farmers

a. Outside the state

b. Within State

c. Within district level

ii. Organizing demonstrations

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR EXTENTION FUNCTIONARIES

Schedule No. Date:


130

a. Demonstration in Agri.

b. Demonstration in Allied sectors

c. Farm School (Demo plot) -

d. Visits of women farmers to farm

school / Demo plot - -

iii. Exposure visits of women farmers

a. Outside the State

b. Within the State

c. Within Districts

v. Mobilization of women farmers groups/ FIGs etc

a. Capacity building, skill

development and support

services

b. Seed money/ revolving fund

vi. Rewards and incentives- best

organized women group -

vii. Women farmer awards -

B. Farm Information Dissemination

i. District level exhibitions, kisanmelas,

fruits and vegetable shows

ii. Information dissemination through

printed material and local

advertisements

C. Research- Extension- Farmer Linkages

i. Farmer scientist interaction

ii. Organization of field days and kisan

goshtis

2. How many women farmer’s representatives are there in

No. Procedure followed for selection

i. District Farm Advisory Committees

(DFAC)

131

ii. Governing Body of ATMA (GB)

iii. ATMA Management Committee (AMC)

iv. Block Farm Advisory Committees

(BFAC)

3. How many women farmer friends are there in your block or district?

District:______________ Block:_________________________

4. How many women officials got benefited under the scheme?

Activity No.

i. Training

ii. Exposure visits

iii. Enrolled in PGDAEM

PART III

1. Rank the following information sources for identifying the needs of women farmer

S. No Source of information Rank i. Based on gaps identified in SREP

ii. Interaction with women representatives in BFAC’s

iii. Interaction with the scientists

iv. Based on your past experiences

v. Interaction with women farmer/group

vi. Interaction with the PRI’s

vii. Any other (specify)

2. Indicate your priorities to allocate 30.0 percent of the funds earmarked for women farmers in

your jurisdiction.

S. No Areas for allocation of fund Rank Reason for choosing

i. To support small and marginal farm women

ii. To support women headed household

iii. To motivate active women groups

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iv. To impart knowledge to the women farmers

v. To bring changes in attitude and skill

vi. Social mobilization and women group formation

vii. To introduce income generating activities

viii. Linking women farmers to markets

ix. Any other (specify)

3. What are the qualities/ criteria’s for the selection of women representatives in BFAC or GB?

S. No Qualities Rank

i. Member of a FIG / SHGs

ii. Practicing farmer

iii. Credibility among other women farmers in the village

iv Able to spare time for social service

v. Should have good communication skills

vi. Should have good leadership skills

vii. Knowledgeable about departments and schemes

viii Any other (specify)

4. What is the role played by these women farmer representatives in the committees

S. No. Committees

Role played by women farmer representatives

i. District Farm Advisory Committees

(DFAC)

ii. Governing Body of ATMA (GB)

iii. ATMA Management Committee

(AMC)

iv Block Farm Advisory Committees (BFAC)

Such as: selection of the villages for under taking activities, selection of beneficiaries , helps

decision making in meetings, helps in problem solving, helps in formation of FIGs, helps in

communicating important messages.

5. Are the women representatives attending meeting regularly? Yes / No

133

If yes, how do you rate the participation of the women representatives in the meetings

a. Poor b. Average c. Good

If no, what are the reasons for non/ poor participation of women representatives?

i. Restrictions from family members

ii. Husband attend the meeting on behalf of the women representatives

iii. Less cooperation from the other BFAC members

iv. Overburdened with domestic responsibilities

v. Lack of mobility / transport available to the women representatives

vi. Lack of confidence

vii. Unable to communicate

viii. Lack of interest in attending the meetings

ix. Any other (specify) 6. What are steps taken to motivate the women farmer representatives to participate?

PART - IV

1. Perceived impact of ATMA intervention on women farmers

No change

Partial Fully

i. Participation of women farmers in extension activities

ii. Awareness of new technologies

iii. Crop Diversification

iv. Adoption of the new technologies

v. Technology dissemination among the women (women farmer to women farmer)

vi. Income levels

vii. Economic independency

viii. Leadership development

ix. Social participation

x. Self confidence

xi. Decision making ability

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xii. Getting the cooperation of male members of the family

particularly in farm activities

2. What are the major constraints faced in implementing the activities for women farmers. Please give

ranking.

Constraints Rank

i. Low confidence level of women farmers

ii. Poor cooperation of women farmers

iii. Women farmers not having lands on their name

iv. Poor family support to women farmers

v. Cultural barriers existing in the village

vi. Unable to organize the programs as per the convenience of the women

farmers

vii. Unable to manage venues for the activities

viii. Women don’t want to travel outside the village (exposure and training within the district and outside the district)

ix. Lack of gender sensitivity among the extension functionaries

x. Less number of women extension functionaries

xi. Lack of sufficient funds

xii. Any other (specify)

3. Suggestion for strengthening gender mainstreaming under extension reforms

a study on the impact of the interventions made for gender

Documents