Study on access to change agents by the farm women engaged in paddy

Table 1. Extent/frequency of contact of respondents with change agents

n=250

Extent of contact

Total

Change agents

Rank

score

Input Dealers

209

14

27

0

682

I

Krishi Prajukti Sahayak (KPS)

34

10

34

172

156

II

Regional Rural Banks/Co-Operatives

8

25

55

162

129

III

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)/Palli

11

17

22

200

89

IV

Siksha Bhavana (PSB) Personnel

Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)

5

4

54

187

72

V

Agricultural Development Officers

4

8

34

204

62

VI

(ADOs)

Scientists

3

10

6

0

35

VII

Note: Regularly (3), Often (2), Sometimes (1), Never (0)

Correlation coefficient between extent of contact with change agents and various

socio-economic attributes of the respondents in paddy cultivation is presented in

Table 2. The results showed that contact with input agencies correlates significantly

but negatively with socio-economic trait like education and husband’s education,

which indicated that respondents and their husbands with low level of education

have contacted more with input dealers or vice-versa. Further, respondents with

low family income found to be significantly and negatively correlated with the

extent of contact with input dealers. So, it can be concluded that farm women with

a high level of family income had less contact with input dealers. Socio-economic

variable like owner of the tree plant correlates significantly and negatively with

this extension contact.

The correlation coefficient between extent of contact with KPS personnel and

level of education of the respondents and their husbands has elucidated strong and

positive association. It implies that educated farm women and the women who

have educated husbands have contacted more with extension personnel. Number

of children correlates negatively but significantly with this variable indicating the

fact that respondents with fewer children have contacted more with KPS and vice

versa.

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