Scale to Measure Performance of Extension Personnel in Promoting Sustainable Dry Farming

Abstract

The scale was developed to measure the performance level of extension personnel in promoting sustainable dry farming in central dry zone of Karnataka. Dry farming areas are the areas which receives an annual rainfall of 750 mm or less than that and there is no irrigation facility for raising crops. Dry farming is the scientific management of soil and crops under dry lands without irrigation. In total 38 statements were framed in scale with review of literature, experts’ suggestion and the role & responsibilities prescribed by State Department of Agriculture, Karnataka to their staff. The edited statements in form of questionnaires were sent to 109 judges to rate the relevancy of statements with the help of online platform ‘Google Forms’. Out of 109, 21 completely filled questionnaires were received in the span of 3 months with many reminders through mail and phone calls. In total 20 statements were selected out of 38 which were having mean relevancy score more than 4.00 and relevancy percentage more than 80. Then t-test has been administered for item analysis and all the 20 selected statements were found to have t-value more than the standard value i.e., 1.75 and hence all 20 statements were retained to the final scale. The r-value was found to be 0.78 and hence the scale was found to be reliable and valid to use in future for the similar investigations.