LOCAL LEADER PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE VILLAGE OF MEDUA UNDER DAULATKHAN THANA IN BHOHA DISTRICT

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to (i) identify and participation of' local leader in agricultural activities. (ii) find out the extent of' participation of local leaders in agricultural activities and (iii) to explore the relationships between selected characteristics of the local leaders with participation in agricultural utelivities in Medtia village under Daulatkhan thana of lIhola District was the locale of the study. Data were collected from 100 local leaders by using intcr iew schedule during 15 November to 15 I )eeember. 2007. The findings revealed that about (SI % of the local leaders had medium parucipation of agricultural activities, where 20% were high and 19% of the local leaders had low participation. Local leaders had a high knowledge score for practices relating to soil urn nagement, plant protect ion, an inia I husbandry and plant breeding and they advised hi,rrners on these practices more irccluentiv. 'their knowledge Scores were low fbr the practices on vegetable and fruit cultivation and agronomy. Many of them are involved in different income generating activities. It was found that there was a distinctivc group of leaders for each specihic sphere of activity. Local leaders are used almost as frequently as non-institutional personal sources at the awareness and interest stage and are the second most imporlant sources at the evaluation and trait stages. Computed 'r' value depicts that selected characteristics of the local leaders namely. leadership. agricultural knowledge, training exposure, extension media contact, farm size. himily income and attitude towards technology had signifleani posilive relationship with their pan icipation in agricultural activities. On the other hand, age. educatio ii. cosmopol iteness, organizational participation. fiiriiily size and aspiral ion in lil had no significant relationships with local leader participation in agricultural a cli Vi U es.