Shrimp Farmers' Acceptance of Private Extension Services in Andhra Pradesh, India
A. Deepthi
*
Department of Fisheries Extension, College of Fishery Science, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, Muthukur, SPSR Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India and Department of Fisheries Extension, Fisheries College & Research Institute, TNJFU, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India.
A. Devivaraprasad Reddy
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
N.V.Sujath Kumar
Department of Fisheries Extension, Fisheries College & Research Institute, TNJFU, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India.
O.Sudhakar
Administrative Office, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Andhra Pradesh is the one of the shrimp culture hub in India. The focus on private extension services to enhance aquaculture development in the Andhra Pradesh. To find out the acceptance of private extension services by shrimp farmers, four major shrimp farming districts viz., Nellore, Guntur, Krishna, and West Godavari and the data was collected from 400 shrimp farmers using a structured interview schedule. Fifteen independent variables were examined to determine their relevance to shrimp farmers' attitudes. The study found that the average score across 30 statements was 3.5, indicating that most shrimp farmers agreed with the statements and held positive views towards private extension services. It also revealed that private enterprises and their personnel predominate in the provision of inputs and services within prawn farming. Shrimp farming experience, exposure to mass media and training, source of shrimp seed, and awareness of Best Management Practices (BMPs) were found to have positive and significant correlations with farmers' attitudes towards private extension services. This private extension approach has proven more effective and also gaining rapid acceptance among farmers.
Keywords: Attitude, shrimp farmers, private extension services, Andhra Pradesh