Knowledge level of Rural Women regarding Home Science Technologies in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Women play a key role in food production and form a large proportion of the agricultural work force globally. Knowledge  empowerment is crucial in women development. Rural women can create wonders in their society with knowledge gain  about different Home Science Technologies. A study was conducted in three randomly selected districts of Andhra  Pradesh with sample size of 270 Krishi Vigyan Kendra trained respondents with an objective to measure the knowledge  level of rural women regarding Home Science Technologies. Knowledge level was measured in seven different areas –  Value addition to millets. Nutrition garden, Fruit & Vegetable preservation, Tailoring & Embroidery, Seed bag  technology, Vermicompost technology and Backyard poultry. The study revealed that average knowledge scores obtained  by respondents were medium. The knowledge scores in the high category in areas of Fruit & Vegetable preservation, value  addition to millets. Nutrition Garden, tailoring and embroidery, vermicompost technology and backyard poultry were in  an ascending order. Knowledge scores were significantly related with age, social capital, information source utilisation,  innovativeness, value orientation, perception about dissemination method, input availability, market facility and  institutional support. The degree of contribution and influence exerted by the different precursor variables than studied  variables was observed. Further studies to explore other correlated factors are suggested.