Role of Village Adoption Programme (VAP) in Enhancing Production, Income, and Livelihood Security
Sowjanya, S. *
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Ramanagara, Bangalore South, Karnataka, India.
Preethu, D.C.
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Ramanagara, Bangalore South, Karnataka, India.
Deepa Pujar
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Ramanagara, Bangalore South, Karnataka, India.
Rajendra Prasad, B.S.
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Ramanagara, Bangalore South, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Village Adoption Programme (VAP) represents a newer extension methodology targeted at improving socio-economic situation of farm households by leading to a systematic transfer of technology and need-based interventions. The current paper compared the effect of VAP introduced by ICARKVK, Ramanagara, in Hakkinalu village, Magadi Taluk, Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) District between 2021 22 to 2024 25. The overall number of farming household population in the adopted village was 312 among whom 90 respondents were sampled through proportionate random sampling method to have sufficient representation of marginal and small and other farmer population groups. Ex-post facto research design was used to determine the change in knowledge of the farmers, adoption of better farming practices and economic performance. The secondary data was gathered by way of structured interviews among the chosen respondents and was evaluated in terms of mean scores, frequency distribution, and economic indicators. Findings indicated that most farmers fell under the marginal (67.78) and small (25.56) groups with moderate literacy (25.66) levels enabling farmers to adopt the use of better technologies. Some of the major technological interventions were better varieties of crops, integrated nutrient and pest control, bio-fertilizer seed treatment, better fodder crops, vermiculite composting, and the application of mechanized tools. The analysis performed after the intervention showed that the levels of knowledge (mean score of 64.05 to 81.92) and adoption (mean score of 60.12 to 77.84) improved significantly, and the distribution of low- to medium- and high-levels was also significantly changed. The yield of crop also rose, ragi yield rose by 16.50 -19.80 Q/ha, chrysanthemum yield rose by 85.0 -105.0 Q/ha, and arecanut yield rose by 18.5 -22.0 Q/ha. Agricultural income grew to 1.75 crore up against 1.26 crore whereas the per capital income grew to 39.61. The report underscores the success of need-based interventions, participatory extension and constant capacity building within the VAP in improving the productivity, income, and livelihood security and the central importance of KVKs in sustainable rural development.
Keywords: Village adoption programme (VAP), production, income, livelihood security, capital