Socio-personal and Communication Characteristics of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) Beneficiary Farmers in Uttarakhand

Water is a critical resource in agriculture & allied sector and it is estimated that globally, on average, agriculture accounts for 70 percent of global freshwater withdrawals. Consequently, the management of water in agriculture (irrigation) becomes important and in this context, programmes on irrigation and water conservation have been playing pivotal role. At present, this task at central level is performed by Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). So, the research objective was formulated to study the socio-personal and communication characteristics of beneficiary farmers of PMKSY and it was undertaken during 2020-21. Uttarkashi and Dehradun districts were selected purposively and two blocks were selected in each district by simple random sampling. Three villages from each block and twenty farmers from each village were selected by following simple random sampling. Thus, the sample constituted to a total of 240 respondents. The findings revealed that majority (35.84%) of beneficiary farmers belonged for middle age group, more than two-fifth (40.00%) of the beneficiary farmers had education up to intermediate, almost two-fifth (39.17%) of the beneficiary farmers had medium farm, nearly half (49.59%) of the beneficiary farmers had medium farming experience. Moreover, beneficiary farmers (100.00%) had agriculture as their primary occupation, half (50.83%) of the beneficiary farmers had medium extension contact, more than half (56.67%) had medium level of mass media exposure followed, three-fifth (61.25%) beneficiary farmers had high innovativeness, 51.67 per cent PMKSY beneficiary farmers had low level of training exposure, majority (47.50%) had low social participation, 60.83 per cent beneficiary farmers had medium achievement motivation, majority (67.50%) had medium scientific orientation and majority (66.67%) of beneficiary farmers belonged to medium risk preference group. Interventions on focusing on small and marginal farmers, providing more trainings, improving extension contacts and social participation were suggested as the suitable measures for success of micro irrigation under PMKSY.