Selection of Vegetables Cultivation Messages for Development of Media Package for Rural Women of Haryana

The study was conducted in many phases during the year 2014-15 in Haryana state. Fifty rural women each from Bhimnagar, Pali, Milkpur and Bawanikhera villages of Hisar and Bhiwani districts, respectively were selected purposively thus comprising of total sample of 200 respondents. In phase-I assessing the need of the rural women, an inventory pertaining to critical messages and sub-messages was prepared. Messages having top three ranks and ten sub-messages from each selected messages got upper rank were finally selected for media preparation after consultation with experts. In phase- II, media in the form of CD for rural women and printed booklet for field functionaries was prepared on selected messages. Standard procedures for preparation of media package were adopted. In phase-III prepared media was administered to 30 judges of various departments for effectiveness and feedback.

Selection of messages related to vegetables cultivation practices revealed that out of nine messages selected only top three messages with high weighted mean scores and rank i.e. tomato, okra and cucurbits cultivation practices. The sub-messages were selected under the main messages. Ten sub-messages identified for the present study were land preparation, seed treatment/seed soaking, nursery raising, sowing/transplanting, irrigation, balanced fertilizer application, weeding, intercultural operations, plant protection measures, and harvesting and marketing of three crops viz. tomato, okra and cucurbits respectively were retained for media preparation.