The study was conducted to measure the knowledge level of dryland farmers about dryland technologies, particularly for dry paddy and dry chillies in selected six villages of Paramakudi taluk of Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu. The agricultural research station situated in Paramakudi, concentrates on generation of dry farming technologies including evolving of crop varieties specifically suited to dryland cultivation. This station has released two paddy varieties viz., PMK 1 and PMK 2 suitable for dryland cultivation and a chilli variety (PMK 1). Knowledge level of dryland farmers were assessed on dry paddy and rainfed chilli crops. A sample of 120 rainfed farmers cultivating both dry paddy and rainfed chillies were selected based on the proportionate random sampling method in selected six villages of Paramakudi taluk. Fourteen dry paddy technologies and twelve rainfed chillies technologies were identified and selected based on the research findings. Based on that, 35 knowledge items for dry paddy and 30 knowledge items for rainfed chillies, a questionnaire were prepared. The preliminary administration of knowledge test was carried out in the non-sample area to perfect the knowledge items. Twenty eight knowledge items for paddy and twenty four items for chillies were finalised. Thus a teacher made test was developed for the study. Correct response was given with a score of two and for incorrect response with a score of one. The scores obtained for dry paddy and rainfed chillies contributes the knowledge score of a respondent for the recommended dryland technologies.
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