Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Newsletters have become an important tool for information dissemination, especially for targeted audience as it communicates the relevant, reliable and appropriate information on a specific topic to the captive audience. The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of participatory Newsletter on Honey production in a purposively selected block in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The study locale has been the current hotspot for promotion of honey production in Uttarakhand. Following experimental research design, a Newsletter was developed using participatory methodology; and it was shared with the selected respondents (honey producers). The study sample included 75 Beekeepers selected purposively (as they were participating in the government supported programme promotions on honeybee promotions) from one village in Bhimtal block of Nainital district). Following experimental design, the effectiveness of participatory newsletter was measured in terms of knowledge gain by using pre- and post-test methods. The data was collected by using structured interview schedule. The study findings revealed that there was significant difference in the knowledge gained by the respondents as a result of exposure to the Newsletter. Further, a large majority of the respondents were 'most satisfied' with various features of the Newsletter such as size, design, content, accuracy, readability utility and accuracy of the information contained in the Newsletter. These findings would be useful for researchers and policy makers for strengthening extension and advisory services for the promotion of honey production in the state by using Newsletters as an instrument of information dissemination and communication.