Impact of participatory seed production programme on knowledge level of wheat seed producers under RKVY in Allahabad region (U.P.)

A study was conducted to ascertain the level of knowledge of the farmers with respect to wheat seed production technologies due to the RKVY through its participatory seed production programme. This programme was sanctioned to SHIATS, Deemed to-be University, Allahabad and implemented in 2009-10 in Allahabad and Kaushambi districts of Allahabad region. The study was based on 169 respondents (89 beneficiaries and 80 non-beneficiaries as control) covering 53 villages and 7 blocks of both districts for analyzing the impact on adoption behaviour of seed producers. The level of knowledge of seed production technology by the beneficiaries (46.08%) was significantly higher than the non-beneficiaries (13.75%). The socio-economic and psychological variables under study were found to be highly significant and positively correlated with the level of knowledge of the seed producers. Further, regression analysis also showed that the selected variables except age, social participation and family size had significant influence over adoption behaviour. The R2 value reflected the contribution of these factors to level of knowledge was to the extent of 82 per cent in the case of beneficiaries whereas, it was 67 per cent in the case of non-beneficiaries and therefore, were important predictors for any variation in the context of level of knowledge.