Development of Extension Service Utilisation Index

Ex-post facto research design was followed for carrying out the study in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Sample comprised of 120 farmers selected randomly from four randomly selected mandals of Mahaboobnagar district which was a purposive selection. Two parameters namely extent of utilisation and extent of adoption were considered for the con- struction of utilisation index. To study the relevance of different aspects of each of DAATTC services judges were contacted. The aspects under each of the services whose values were more than one were finally selected. To measure the adoption, recommended practices in cotton crop were selected to prepare the schedule in consultation with Scientists of DAATTC, teaching staff of College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar and officials of State department of agriculture and other staff. The respondents were asked to respond to each sun item of adoption of these practices with respect to their extent of adoption on a five point continuum. Utilisation of DAATTC services was arrived by summing up of extent of utilisation and extent of adoption of respondents. Majority of respondents had medium utili- sation of services of DAATTC. As there was less utilisation of services through assessment and refinement of technologies and services through information centre and supply of information material, the scientists need to assess and refine the technologies immediately and give feed back to farmers, so that the farmers get satisfied. To develop the information centre and supply the information mate- rial, sufficient budget has to be sanctioned so that technologies get widely publicized these will ultimately result in effective service utilisation. Finally, it can be concluded that the utilisation of DAATTC services helps the farmers in increasing the level of knowledge, skill and adoption of technology.