psychological attribtues of common interest group

Asian J. Dairy & Food Res.., 33 (2) : 141-146, 2014

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE

www.arccjournals.com

doi:10.5958/0976-0563.2014.00591.0

PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTRIBTUES OF COMMON INTEREST GROUP MEMBERS INVOLVED IN DAIRY FAMING Banwari Lal, Uzma Kamam, Amit Singh* and Mukesh Bhakat College of Agriculture, Jawai Band Road, Pali-306 401, India

Received: 12-08-2013

Accepted: 11-01-2014

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ABSTRACT

The main objective of this paper is to study the social participation and psychological assessment of CIG members involved in dairy farming. The study was conducted in three district of Rajasthan state. 18 CIGs which are working on dairy farming were selected and all 250 members of selected CIGs were taken as respondents. The information was collected by using structured interview schedule and observation. Social attributes like social participation, extension contacts and mass media contact of CIG members plays an important role among the members of society to gain knowledge and information. The results showed that, majority of respondents (69.20%) were not having any organizational membership. A large proportion of respondents had medium level of extension contact (71.6%) and mass media exposure (66.8%). The study shows that majority (82.0%) of members’had medium level of aspiration, 44.4 per cent of CIGs have high self-esteem with respect to success and worthiness. The result indicates that majority of respondents (84.4%) fell in medium category of knowledge level about breeding, feeding, health care, management and fodder production followed by 08.0 per cent and 07.6 per cent in low and high knowledge level categories, respectively. The majority of members (59.6%) had favorable attitude and 32.00 per cent members had unfavorable attitude towards SDFPs.

Key words: Common interest group, Dairy farming, Psychological attributes. INTRODUCTION In a country like India where three fourth of the total population lives in villages, all round development of rural areas acquires a special significance. In view of the stupendous task involved in the rural development, many organizations, Government, Industries, Voluntary organizations, Christian’s missionaries, etc. are increasingly getting involved in various development endeavors in rural areas. In this context, the roles of NGOs assume crucial importance and have the greatest significance in the field of poverty eradication.

this poverty, three states namely; Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have started a new scheme “District Poverty Initiative Project (DPIP)”. The objectives of this scheme were to mobilise the poor in the rural areas and build up their capacities, and utilisation of the available resources on the basis of priorities of the poor. The relevance of concept of Common Interest Groups comes in this context. The dairying in India is mostly contributed by small herd owners, residing in the villages. The dairy sector contributes 25 per cent of total share of agricultural GDP. In last two decades, though population and food grain production grew at around 2 per cent per annum, milk production grew at more than double the rate of growth of population; thereby focussing its importance in employment generation and poverty alleviation.

In 2010, the World Bank reported that 32.7% of the total Indian people fall below the international poverty line of US$ 1.25 per day (PPP) while 68.7% live on less than US$ 2 per day. The recent poverty index shows a rapid reduction in poverty in India to 21.9% in 2011-2012 from 37.2% in 2004-2005 as The CIGs are appropriate institutions which per the Planning Commission of India. To overcome provide the poorest of poor with the space and * Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected] and Address: N.D.R.I., Karnal-132001.




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support necessary to take effective steps towards empowerment of members through building the capacities of its members in a participatory mode, and improving their infrastructure services and resources on the basis of their priorities in social and economic needs in participatory mode. Today thousands of rural poor are rewriting the definition of empowerment entirely on their own terms, giving a new face to the initiative that benefit the community by tightly holding to the concept of CIG. The evaluation of on-going programme in terms of its socio-economic and environmental impact will definitely help in identifying the factors facilitating and hindering bring out the facilitating and hindering the working with CIGs, thereby developing an appropriate strategy and mechanism to make the programme more effective. With this interest the study was planned in Rajasthan with the objective to measure the social participation of CIG members and to assess the psychological assessment of respondents.

(CIGs) for poverty eradication of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) rural farmers was purposively selected. A World Bank project namely “District Poverty Initiative Project (DPIP)” is running in the seven district of state and out of which three districts namely, Churu, Jhalawar and Baran were selected through lottery method for the study. Two blocks were selected randomly from each selected districts, thus the study was conducted in a total of six blocks. Three CIGs which are working on dairy farming were selected from each selected block of the selected districts. Total 18 numbers of CIGs were selected for data collection from the selected blocks of three districts. All the members of selected CIGs were taken as the respondents for this study. Total number of respondents for this study was about 250 dairy farmers. Data from the respondent was collected by using structured interview schedule, observation and were analyzed by using appropriate statistical techniques like frequency, percentage etc.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION I.Social participation of respondents :Social MATERIALS AND METHODS attributes plays an important role among the The “Common Interest Groups” (CIG) was members of society to gain knowledge and studied in the state of Rajasthan for measuring their information. The attributes like social participation, socio psychological and attitude. The state being extension contacts and mass media contact of CIG pioneer in concept of Common Interest Groups members were assessed. TABLE 1: Socio-psychological profile of Common Interest Group members (N = 250) 1 A.

Social Participation Membership in organization

B.

Frequency of participation in CIGs activities

No membership in other organizations Membership in other organizations Office bearers in other organization Never attending any meeting of organization Sometimes attending meeting/ activities Regularly attending meeting

Mean Social Participation score 2

Extension Contact

3

Mean Extension contact Score Mass Media Exposure

Mean Mass Media Exposure Score

Low (< 3) Medium (3–7) High (> 7) Low (< 1.42) Medium (1.42–4.02) High (> 4.02) Sometimes Rarely Always

F 173 77 0 11 52 187

P 69.2 30.8 0.00 04.4 20.8 74.8 0.153 38 15.2 179 71.6 33 13.2 1.043 48 19.2 167 66.8 35 14.0 79 31.6 73 29.2 80 32.0 2.087 F – Frequency; P – Per centage

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1.Social participation: Table–1, shows that, majority of respondents (69.20%) were not having membership in other organization, besides only 30.80 per cent members had membership in other organizations like Dairy Co-operative society, Mahila Mandal and Panchayat institution. The respondents of study were socially interactive and regularly participating in different social institution for mutual benefit of their own and society as a whole. In case of frequency of participation in CIGs activities, majority of members (74.8%) were regularly attending meeting only 20.80 per cent members were irregular in attending meeting. Subramaniam (1986) also revealed that social participation was positively and significantly correlated with role performance of farmers youth leaders. Alex (1994) observed that majority of trained farmers were in high social participation category which is significantly contributing to effective empowerment of group.

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mass media exposure will provide better empowerment of the farmers. The mean score of social participation, extension contact and mass media of each group members was calculated. The scores obtained by a respondent were added for each item giving a sum score. The sum score of each members of a group summed up and mean score of all the three items was calculated for whole group. The score of social participation shows that 14 groups out of eighteen have social participation score above mean score i.e. 0.153. This result state that fifty per cent of the selected CIGs were having extension contact score above the mean score focusing on having contact with extension. The findings reveals that eight out of eighteen had mass media exposure score above mean score 2.087 and others were found below the mean score. II.Psychological assessment of respondents 1. Level of aspiration: The level of aspiration indicates the members’ wishes and hopes for attaining higher standard of living. It was measured by using ladder technique. The study revealed that majority (82.0%) of members’had medium level of aspiration, whereas 10.80 and 07.20 per cent members fell in low and high level of aspiration respectively. Singh (1982) stated that majority of respondents (farm women) had medium level of aspiration.

2. Extension contact: Table-1, depicts that a large number of respondents (71.6%) had medium level of extension contact whereas 15.2 per cent and 13.2 per cent of them had low and high level of extension contacts with Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Pharmacist, Dairy Inspector, Dairy Development Officers/ Dy. Director Dairy, Milk Fed Officials, Coop. Officials, Bank Personals, Agricultural. Officers etc. The study was in line with results of Ganguly (2005) who reported that most large number of respondents 2. Self esteem: Self-esteem, the variable measures (47.78%) had medium level of extension contact with the perception of CIG members about himself/ herself the farmers. with respect to success and worthiness. It is clear 3. Mass media exposure: Though majority of them from the Table – 2, that 44.4 per cent of CIGs had their own Radio, they had medium level of mass members considered themselves to very much media exposure with T.V, Radio, Films and Printed successful and worthy. Around 26.0% were having materials. This might be due to their preference to ‘to some extent only’self-esteem and only 25.2 per use these media to satisfy their entertainment needs cent members perceived themselves as successful or the present informative programmes were not and worthy ‘to quite some extent. Ranjetha (2002) attractive to them. T.V. and Radio were observed to noted that average self-esteem score of groups. This be authentic sources of information for Common might be due to fact these members after training Interest Group members. Table 1 state that majority the groups’ launches same economic activity and of respondents (66.8%) had medium level of mass standard caring themselves because of which they media exposure and only 19.20 per cent member received themself as successful and worthy. had low exposure to mass media. There were only 14 per cent members who had high exposure to mass 3.Self-reliance: A quick glance at the figures in media. Kareem (1984) and Vipinkumar (1994) found Table–2, shows that only 32.0 per cent member that mass media exposure had positive and indicated high reliance on themselves. It was significant relationship with the interaction behavior observed that 31.6 per cent and 29.2 per cent of contact farmers. They also concluded that more exhibited ‘sometime’and ‘rarely’towards self-

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ASIAN JOURNAL OF DAIRY & FOOD RESEARCH TABLE 2: Socio-psychological profile of Common Interest Group Members (N= 250)




PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABL ES 1

Level of aspiration

2

Self Esteem

3

Self-Reliance

4

Knowledge of CIG members regarding SDFPs

5

Attitude of CIG members towards SDFPs

Low (< 4) Medium (4.1 to 7.69) High (> 7.69) Not at all To some extent only To quite some extent Very much Never Sometimes Rarely Always Low (< 18.49) Medium (18.49 to 59.67) High (> 59.67) Favourable (up to 20.792) Neutral (20.792) Unfavourable (Above 20.792)

reliance, respectively. Further, it was also noted that only 07.2 per cent members were not reliant on themselves. The result of Franadez (1992) also suggested that groups should be formed with those members who had self-reliance as the clear motive, where groups were formed with the sole objective of receiving government grant, bank loans; they generally disintegrated once their purpose is fulfilled.

F

P

27 205 18 11 65 63 111 18 79 73 80 20 211 19 149 21 80

10.8 82.0 07.2 04.4 26.0 25.2 44.4 07.2 31.6 29.2 32.0 08.0 84.4 07.6 59.6 08.4 32.0

knowledge. It shows that higher level of knowledge of the dairy farmers will lead to empowerment.

5. Attitude of CIG Members towards SDFPs: The Table 3 indicated that majority (59.6%) of CIGs members was found with favourable attitude and 32.00 per cent members had unfavourable attitude towards SDFPs while only 08.4 per cent of CIGs members had neutral attitude towards SDFPs. This 4. Knowledge of CIG Members regarding finding indicated that there is yet a scope to enthuse standard dairy farming practices (SDFPs): It was these members in favor of dairy farming enterprise. measured by a knowledge test developed by Khatik This study emphasized importance of possible (1994) on the five aspects such as breeding, feeding, attitude change of respondents towards dairy health care, management and fodder production. farming as a step in popularizing dairy farming as The result indicates that majority of respondents an enterprise which may ultimately help them in (84.4%) fell in medium category of knowledge level improving their economic and social condition of followed by 08.0 per cent and 07.6 per cent in low the members. Sayeedi (1983) stated that greater and high knowledge level categories, respectively. percentage of young farmers had highly favourable The level of medium knowledge among the majority attitude towards dairy farming. He further stated that of respondents could be attributed to the active majority of small family size fell in the highly participation in training programmes which would favourable attitude. The results were in accordance have caused an intense contact with the CIGs with Verma (1993) who reported that members had development personnel and subject matter specialist. significantly higher attitude score over non-member. This further would have resulted in the exchange of 6. Mean score: The members’ wishes and hopes ideas resulting in the acquisition of more knowledge. for attaining higher standard of living having higher Walia (1984) revealed that beneficiaries of milk mean attitude score. Eleven group of CIG had above producer cooperative societies were having more scores for level of aspiration (Table - 3). The selfknowledge about breeding, feeding, management esteem means score of CIG members about himself/ and health care practices than the non-beneficiaries. herself with respect to success and worthiness shows The result are in accordance with the study of that majority of the group (10 groups) members Ganguly (2005) who stated that majority of perceived themselves as successful and worthy ‘to respondent (57.78%) had medium level of quite some extent. The results of mean self-reliance

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TABLE 3: Distribution of Common Interest Group based on level of aspiration score Sl. No.




1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Name of CIGs

Group I Group II Group III Group IV Group V Group VI Group VII Group VIII Group IX Group X Group XI Group XII Group XIII Group XIV Group XV Group XVI Group XVII Group XVIII Mean ( x )

Mean Aspiration score ( x )

Self Esteem

7.00* 5.60 6.33* 5.46 6.20* 3.80 5.25 6.08* 6.08* 4.75 5.67 6.08* 6.53 6.87* 6.93* 6.13* 6.40* 6.53* 6.00

2.534* 2.400 2.267 2.467 2.534* 2.470 2.167 2.250 2.544* 2.417 2.583* 2.600* 2.670* 2.534* 2.600* 2.730* 2.533 2.812* 2.533

Score ( x )

SelfReliance Score ( x ) 2.668* 2.468* 2.467 2.933* 2.670* 2.670* 2.670* 2.500 2.670* 2.583 2.750* 2.658* 2.733* 2.533 2.670* 2.658* 2.800* 2.670* 2.648

Knowledge Mean score ( x) 35.80* 36.60* 39.06* 42.67* 44.00* 34.93* 37.91* 27.25 27.67 35.16* 40.41* 42.60* 26.73 14.13 25.80 44.00* 37.80* 31.67 34.40

Attitude Mean score ( x) 21.47* 21.00* 22.87* 20.73* 19.80 18.00 19.83 20.73* 20.75* 19.75* 18.61 20.00 21.43 22.06 21.60* 19.73* 21.93* 21.93* 20.72 * indicates above group level of mean score

score states that about 78 per cent of the groups CONCLUSION The study concludes that majority of have high score which state that they have high respondents (71.6%) had medium level of extension confidence level in the activity. contact and in case of different groups fifty percent Six groups are having score below the mean of groups had above average extension contact with knowledge score. It is in line with the result that related agencies and in case of mass media majority of the members have medium level of exposure, eight groups were found above average. knowledge about dairy farming. Thus there is need The level of aspiration, self-reliance and knowledge for active participation in training programmes with level of groups were above the average score and subject matter specialist which results in the members have a favourable attitude towards SDFPs. exchange of ideas resulting in acquisition of more The knowledge of Group members engaged in dairying can be significantly improved by the group knowledge. co-operation, interaction and by providing them The study shows that mean score of twelve proper knowledge of scientific dairy farming CIGs is above mean attitude score. The results practices. However, the impetus needs to be viewed concluded that large numbers CIG members were with certain extent of cautiousness as many of the highly interested to do dairy farming as a business CIG after their initial sprout and upbeat land in and the members perceive that the dairy enterprise premature deaths. If we don’t want to kill the concept is the suitable as well as profitable means to in its infancy, then we need to study the problems eradicate the poverty of resource poor people of encountered in functioning of the CIGs and come the rural area. up with effective strategies to overcome it. REFERENCES

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Ranjetha, M. H. (2002). Empowerment of rural women through Self Help Groups: a critical analysis, M. Sc. Thesis IARI, New Delhi (India ) Sayeedi, A.G. (1983). A study of knowledge, attitude and adoption of dairy farmers towards dairy scientific activities in Jammu district (J&K). M.Sc. Thesis, PAU, Ludhiana. Singh, K. (1982). A study of aspirations of farm women of Karnal district. M.Sc. Thesis, Kurukshetra University, (India). Subramaniam, K. (1986). Communication behavior of tribal farmers-A system analysis M.Sc. (Ag) Thesis Kerala Agricultural University, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thirussur. Verma, O.P. (1993). A study of impact of milk co-operative societies in upper Gangetic plains. Ph.D. Thesis, NDRI (Deemed University), Karnal. (India). Vipin Kumar, V. P. (1994). Interpersonal communication behaviour of members of group farming committees in the adoption of rice production technology. M. Sc. Thesis, Kerala Agricultural University, Thirussur. Walia, A.S. (1984). Impact of TIPS on the milk production enhancement in milk shed area of Ludhiana milk plant (Punjab). M.Sc. Thesis, NDRI Karnal.