Challenges encountered by beneficiary farmers in adopting bhoochetana practices in Udupi district, Karnataka

Abstract

The study was undertaken in the Udupi district of Karnataka during the 2018-19 agricultural season with the objective of examining the constraints and suggestions for the effective implementation of the Bhoochetana programme. A total of 160 respondents from eight different villages were selected to constitute the sample for this research. The respondents were divided into two groups: beneficiary farmers who had participated in the Bhoochetana programme and non-beneficiary farmers who had not. The study aimed to identify the specific challenges faced by these two groups and gather their suggestions for improving the program's implementation. The findings revealed that both beneficiary and non-beneficiary farmers encountered significant constraints, though the nature and intensity of these challenges varied between the groups. Among the beneficiary farmers, the most frequently cited constraint was the non-availability of labor, with an overwhelming 98.34% of respondents identifying this as a major issue. Additionally, 93.34% of beneficiaries reported the non-availability of inputs in a timely manner as a significant challenge, while 71.67% pointed to the high cost of chemicals as a barrier to effective participation in the program. Non-beneficiary farmers, on the other hand, identified financial constraints as their primary challenge, with 100% of respondents reporting this issue. They also reported significant difficulties with the non-availability of inputs in time (95.00%) and labor shortages (93.34%), indicating that these challenges are widespread among farmers, regardless of their participation in the Bhoochetana programme. In terms of suggestions, a majority of beneficiary farmers (65.00%) recommended that inputs be provided adequately and on time to ensure that they could fully benefit from the programme. Additionally, 51.67% of the beneficiaries suggested that the frequency of visits by field staff should be increased to provide better support and guidance throughout the farming process.