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COMPENDIUM, IEEC-2023   ( ISBN : 978-81-967860-4-5 )
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Theme 1: Emerging experiences on CBOs’ intervention and Sustainable Agri-food Systems

Appraising the impact of what's App agr- advisory services on mustard production technology in western part of Rajasthan

Sunil Kumar Sharma

Rajasthan Agriculture College, Udaipur
sunilextension@gmail.com

Abstract

The study was undertaken in four blocks Viz. Sankara, Nachana, Fatehgarh, Bhaniyana of Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan aimed toevaluate the impact of perception level of mustard growing farmers through WhatsApp agro advisory services (WAAS) created by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pokaran. The sample consisted of 120 respondents, comprising 60 Registered on WhatsApp and 60 non registered mustard growers of Jaisalmer district. Respondents were purposively selected and conducted personal interview. Results indicated that 58.33 percent of registered farmers are focusing much more preferable to adapt WAAS basedpackage of practices about mustard production technology. The survey revealed that 66.66 per cent farmers focus more on WAAS before going for harvesting and 46.66 per cent on post-harvest management. Looking at all over practices, it was found that 71.66 percent farmers were most interested in using WAAS at the plant protection level. Further, most of the farmers were in need Rainfall forecast (76.66 percent) followed by temperature forecast (65.00percent) respectively. Timely WAAS helped WhatsApp registered farmers to plan agricultural operations to avoid crop losses thereby increase farm income. Mustard growers of Jaisalmer district preferred WAAS to plan their farm operations like Field preparation, variety, sowing time, Fertilizer application, weed Management, Plant protection, Post harvest Management etc. The data found that after WAAS intervention, farm income of 53.33 per cent of registered mustard growers had increased to between seven and nine thousand rupees in one crop season. Ultimately, 77 percent of farmers were satisfied with the WAAS service. Keywords: WAAS, Mustard growers, Production technology, ICT

IEEC-2023 at RARI (SKNAU, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan organised by Society of Extension Education, Agra, India