Effectiveness of sensitisation on the awareness levels of Fishery Extension Officers on Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming in India

Abstract

Sensitisation is an effective extension technique to increase the awareness and inculcate basic knowledge about a technology or an innovation and its application. A study was conducted among 90 purposively selected Fishery Extension Officers (FEO) of three coastal states adopting ‘before-stimulus-after’ research design to evaluate the effectiveness of sensitisation in enhancing their awareness levels on Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming. The findings have shown that sensitisation workshops had significantly contributed to the increase in awareness levels of the FEOs on L. vannamei to the tune of 24.48%. The overall mean pre and post- awareness levels were 60% and 85% respectively. The mean pre and post-sensitisation awareness levels of FEOs in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were 54%, 65% and 60%, 79%, 86% and 89%, respectively. The study confirmed that the sensitisation had an impact on the awareness levels of FEOs on L. vannamei regulatory guidelines and subject matter. Therefore, similar programmes need to be conducted in other coastal states also to sensitise the key stakeholders to ensure sustainable development of L. vannamei farming in the country.