Development and Standardization of Audio-Visual Aid (Video) on Natural Farming for Farmers
Abstract
New techniques and farm information need to reach farmers. Although there are a number of communication technologies available, video is the most effective medium to convey information in an attractive way and also effectively supports educational efforts. The present study aims to develop and standardize audio-visual aid on natural farming and find its effectiveness in generation of awareness about natural farming among farmers of Gujarat State. The prepared video film was of 18 minutes and 10 seconds duration. Names and acknowledgments were highlighted at the end of the visual script. The panel of twenty experts standardized the audio-visual aid on natural farming. Audio-visual aid was evaluated on a three-point scale i.e., most appropriate, appropriate, and not appropriate on 19 varied criteria which included audio, visual and overall presentation of audio-visual aid. The overall weighted mean score for audio aspect of audio-visual aid was found to be 2.77; the overall weighted mean score for visual aspect and presentation of audio-visual aid was found to be 2.82 each.
Keywords
Download Options
Introduction
It is estimated that food production will need to increase by 60 per cent by 2050 for feeding the growing population (FAO, 2009). 'Natural Farming' or 'Eco-Agriculture' or 'Eco-Friendly Agriculture' is suggested as a neoteric approach to improve both traditional and modern agricultural practices, which aims to safeguard the environment, public health, and communities (Mishra, 2013). Natural Farming integrates the sustainable farm intensification practices with a focus on minimising the costs. Natural farming is based on 4 wheels/non-negotiable guidelines/principles or package of farming practices that would increase soil health and crop yields at zero external inputs or costs. These include: (i) Jiwamrita (life tonic); (ii) Bijamrita (seed protection tonic); (iii) Acchadana (mulching) and (iv) Vapasa (soil aeration/moisture) (Palekar, 2005; 2006; 2016; Devarinti, 2016; Bishnoi and Bhati, 2017 and Reddy, 2019). Video information is an ideal medium for awareness among farmers towards new technologies and it helps in motivation and change in behaviour of the farmers. Many of the farmers explore books/online classes for the information and ideas in greater depth. Delivery of agricultural information via net publicity to the subjects offline disseminates farm statistics and thereby boosts one's information to the favoured expectancies (Vanetha, 2013). Understanding audiences' preference for receiving certain message types as well as factors such as consumer needs, moods, attitude or tastes helps to determine which media source to use (Webster & Ksiazek, 2012). Studies show that video is an effective medium for generating awareness (Bavishi, 2023), (Panasara, 2023). The message from videos reaches the mind of the audience through eyes and ears, thus motivating people for adoption of new technologies by changing their attitude (Pandian et al., 2002).
Conclusion
It can be concluded that audio-visual aid can be effectively utilized as a key method to enhance awareness regarding natural farming practices and experiences. By combining visual and auditory elements, these aids provide clear, engaging, and easily understandable information, which is particularly beneficial for reaching farmers with diverse educational backgrounds. Consequently, incorporating audio-visual aids into agricultural extension programs can play a vital role in improving knowledge dissemination, promoting sustainable farming methods, and empowering farmers to adopt natural farming techniques more confidently and effectively
References
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2009). How to feed the world: Global agriculture towards 2050 (High Level Expert Forum, Rome, Italy, pp. 4–35). FAO.
- Reddy, G. B., Reddy, V. R., & Reddy, M. S. (2019). Potential and constraints of zero budgeted natural farming (ZBNF): A study of Andhra Pradesh. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 74(3), 321–332.
- Webster, J. G., & Ksiazek, T. B. (2012). The dynamics of audience fragmentation: Public attention in an age of digital media. Journal of Communication, 62(1), 39–56.
- Vanetha, K. P. (2013). Effectiveness of interactive multimedia compact disc and web page in knowledge gain and symbolic adoption among tribal farm women. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education, 13(1), 85–87.
- Mishra, M. (2013). Role of eco-friendly agricultural practices in Indian agriculture development. International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science Technology, 4(2), 25–29.
- Bishnoi, R., & Bhati, A. (2017). An overview: Zero budget natural farming. Trends in Biosciences, 10(46), 9314–9316.
- Sharma, R. (2009). Designing and field testing of instructional material on entrepreneurship development for rural women [Doctoral dissertation, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology].
- Palekar, S. (2005). The philosophy of spiritual farming I (2nd ed.). Zero Budget Natural Farming Research, Development & Extension Movement.
- Palekar, S. (2006). The principles of spiritual farming II (2nd ed.). Zero Budget Natural Farming Research, Development & Extension Movement.
- Palekar, S. (2016). Zero budget spiritual farming. http://bit.ly/1Pk3a8p
- Pandian, S., Radhakrishnan, T., & Sivakumar, P. S. (2002). Video education a tool for knowledge gain. Agricultural Extension Review, 14, 3–5.
- Devarinti, S. R. (2016). Natural farming: Eco-friendly and sustainable? Agrotechnology, 5(2), 1–3.
- Bavishi, T. K., Shekhar, S., & Sanwal, S. (2023). Development and testing information materials on weaning practices for rural women. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 12(1), 48–59.
- Panasara, U. S., Shekhar, S., & Vyas, J. N. (2023). Development and standardization of media packages on consumer rights and certification mark for rural consumers. Gujarat Journal of Extension Education, 36(2), 145–151.
- Jain, V. (2005). Development and standardization of media package on animal husbandry practices for rural women of Haryana [Doctoral dissertation, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University]