Impact of Grass-root Level Unit in Extension Delivery Services in Karnataka

A demand driven extension system at the grass-root levels called Raitha Samparka Kendras (RSKs) was established in Karnataka in the year 2000 replacing the earlier training and visit system (T&V) to improve agricultural productivity. Six RSKs of Gadag district of North Karnataka comprising of six agricultural ficers, 25 assistant agricultural officers and 90 beneficiary farmers were selected. The study revealed that RSKs covered wide geographical area and the ratio of extension personnel to farm families was high (1:1,406). No significant association was found between farmers’ frequency of contact with their location from RSK as well as with their size of landholding. However, there was a significant association between the farmers’ landholding and extension participation. A significant impact was observed on yield of important crops after attaining the services from RSKs. Most of the farmers were primarily using RSK just as government retail outlet to buy subsidised agro-inputs rather than for attaining technical agriculture information.