Role of group dynamics behaviour in enhancing knowledge gain among tribal women in dairy farming capacity building programmes under tribal sub plan

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the influence of group dynamics behaviour on knowledge gain among tribal women following a structured capacity building programme on improved dairy farming practices. The study was carried out in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand covering two villages, namely Sisaona and Khatola. A total of 100 tribal women were selected for the investigation. A pre-test–post-test experimental research design was adopted to assess the change in knowledge level before and after training. Group dynamics behaviour was measured using a composite index comprising participation, cooperation, leadership, communication, decision-making ability, mutual trust, role clarity and conflict management. Knowledge gain was calculated as the difference between pre-training and post-training knowledge scores. The results revealed that a majority of respondents (88%) exhibited high knowledge gain after the training programme, indicating the strong effectiveness of the capacity building intervention. Correlation analysis showed that all components of group dynamics behaviour had a positive and significant relationship with knowledge gain, with communication (r = 0.68) and participation (r = 0.64) emerging as the most influential factors. Multiple regression analysis further indicated that communication, participation and mutual trust significantly contributed to explaining variations in knowledge gain among respondents. Based on these findings, a Communication Strengthening Model (CSM) was developed and implemented to improve intra-group interaction processes. The implementation of the model resulted in a significant increase in mean knowledge gain from 43.79 to 52.36, confirming the effectiveness of structured communication interventions in enhancing learning outcomes.