Knowledge of Aromatic Black Rice Growers Regarding Benefits Provided under Mission Organic Value Chain Development Scheme

Abstract

The present study was carried out during 2020-21 in Thoubal and Bishnupur districts of Manipur state to assess the knowledge of aromatic black rice growers regarding the benefits provided under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development Scheme (MOVCDS). One hundred eighty aromatic black rice growers were interviewed for the study using a pre-tested interview schedule. The results revealed that a vast majority of over 85.00 per cent of the aromatic black rice growers had correct knowledge regarding the various benefits provided under MOVCDS. Education, organic farming experience, livestock possession, crop productivity, achievement motivation, aspiration, management orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, innovative proneness, mass media exposure, training on organic farming, extension agency contact, and extension participation of aromatic black rice growers have significantly contributed in increasing the knowledge level of aromatic black rice growers regarding the benefits provided under MOVCDS. Further, extension agency contact, extension participation, and training on organic farming of aromatic black rice growers were found to be having the direct effect, indirect effect, and largest indirect effect in increasing the knowledge regarding the benefits provided under MOVCDS. The research finding validates the importance of training, extension participation, and extension agency contact in any social intervention to enhance the knowledge of the beneficiaries regarding the scheme or intervention.