Title: CONSTRAINTS IN UTILIZING RYTHU BHAROSA KENDRAS SERVICES AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CORRELATES OF FARMERS' KNOWLEDGE

Authors: M. D. Saifuddin, M. Rama Devy and M. S. Rao

Publisher: The President, Society of Extension Education Gujarat

Keywords: constraints, RBKs, socio-economic, knowledge

Volume: 39

Issue: 2

Year: June 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56572/gjoee.2025.39.2.0027

Abstract: Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), an innovative initiative launched by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in providing integrated platform to address the needs of the farmers at the village level. This study, conducted in 2022 in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, aimed to identify constraints faced by farmers in utilizing Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) and analyze the relationship between their socio-economic characteristics and knowledge of RBK services. Using an ex-post facto research design, data were collected from 120 randomly selected farmers through a pre-tested structured schedule. Constraints were ranked using the Garrett ranking technique, and correlation analysis was performed using SPSS to explore relationships between socio-economic factors and knowledge levels. Key constraints identified included the unavailability of micronutrient fertilizers, inefficiencies in e-crop booking systems, and the lack of credit facilities for input purchases, delays in soil test reports and insufficient crop-specific advice from RBK staff. Correlation analysis revealed that education, extension contact, mass media exposure, and participation in training programs significantly enhanced farmers' knowledge of RBK services. The findings emphasized the need to enhance input supply, address operational inefficiencies, and strengthen advisory services to improve RBK effectiveness, with targeted education and extension efforts bridging knowledge gaps.