Models of Khadin Improvement in the Western Rajasthan based on Assessment of the Knowledge Levels of the Farmers

Abstract

Background: The khadin was originally developed a few hundred years ago by the Paliwal Brahmins in Jaisalmer. This system is similar to some irrigation methods used in the Middle East and in Negev desert. The khadin system is based on the principle of harvesting rainwater on farmland and subsequent use of this water-saturated land for crop production. Methods: Three villages i.e. Rupsi of Jaisalmer, Mandawa of Bhaniyana and Utal of Fathehgarh tehsils have been selected for data collection for khadin production systems. Among these villages 20 farmers has been selected from each village having khadin faming system. Thus total 60 farmers of khadin farming system has been selected and collected information through interview and filled the schedules. Scio-economic data of the selected farmers have been collected through the interview schedule in all three selected villages. Result: Five models have been suggested by the researchers. In all five systems farmers have medium level of the knowledge about the crop, vegetable, fruits and livestock by adopting these models production and productivity of these age old khadins can be increased significantly.