Key Information Sources and their Utility for Upliftment of Members of Tribal Farmer Producer Groups

Abstract

Information is the crucial component in every walk of life. Information channels for and between the farmersare vital for increasing the agricultural yields. The present study in Seethampeta block of Srikakulam districtin Andhra Pradesh was focused on identifying the utility of different sources of information. A sample of145 respondents was selected through multi-stage proportionate sampling method. The data were collectedwith the help of well-structured interview schedule through personal interview method. The findings ofthe study elicited that progressive farmers served as regular source of information for majority (70.34 %) ofthe tribal FPG members and among the occasional source of information Subject Matter Specialists fromKVK were preferred by exactly four-fifths (80.00 %) of the members of tribal FPGs. Radio was never preferredas information source by 77.24 per cent of respondents. Information utility and information score werehigh for progressive farmers with values of 0.84 and 2.25 respectively. The study concludes by saying thatwhatever information is available to the members of tribal FPGs, it should be communicated at right timein right form and right channel which can improve the utility of information and thus the quality of work.