Impact Analysis of Empowerment Programmes of Tribal Community in East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India

The tribes of Andhra Pradesh present a fascinating diversity with its variegated socio-cultural traditions and diversified occupations. Aim: The objectives of the study are to facilitate adoption of appropriate agricultural technologies, to enhance the productivity level of the agro-based farming systems and to conduct need based extension activities in various agro-based technologies to improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of tribal farmers. Research Design: Expost-facto research design. Place and Duration of the Study: A project for a period of three years (2009 – 2012) was proposed and approved by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi for empowerment of tribal farmers to be carried out in the Tribal areas of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Methodology: The level of knowledge content of the farmers was analyzed by the use of pre-tested schedule before and after implementation of the interventions viz., after a period of three years. About 250 farm families in general and 100 tribal farmers in specific among ten villages of two panchayats from Rampachodavaram mandal were selected based on multistage sampling technique. Results: A total of hundred selected farmers were trained in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, poultry and animal husbandry and value addition programmes. Interventions through training programmes, awareness camps, front line demonstrations and method demonstrations were conducted to improve the knowledge skills and abilities of tribal farmers. A set of agricultural technologies which were simple, effective and need based were selected and implemented to improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of the tribal farmers in the selected villages. The impact was analyzed after a period of three years of implementation of the project and presented. The proposed interventions in agriculture, horticulture, poultry, animal husbandry and value addition programmes have enhanced the knowledge, abilities, skills and income level of the tribal families by improving their living standards. Conclusion: A desirable change was brought in economic, social, health and livelihood aspects of tribal farmers.