Vol. 11, Special Issue 12 (2022)

In order to encourage effective transfer of proven technology to the farming community and also to create healthy competition among farm men and women in obtaining higher productivity in agriculture and allied fields, the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur introduced “Shreshta Krishika”, “Shreshta Krishika Mahile” award in 2009. The study was conducted in Raichur and Ballari districts of Kalyana Karnataka, as Raichur and Ballari districts had highest number of awardee farmers. From the selected two districts, ten farmers (five farmers from each district) who have received Shreshta Krishika/ Krishi Mahile award from University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during the period from 2009 to 2018 were selected randomly using simple random sampling technique. Twelve fellow farmers to each awardee farmers within the radius of 2 to 3 km. accordingly, the sample constitutes 10 awardee farmers and 120 fellow farmers. The data was collected with the help of structured interview schedule. The results indicates that, awardee farmers were always involved in innovating technologies based on local condition (54.17%), awardee farmers possesses good leadership quality (72.00%), awardee farmer possesses good knowledge regarding different agricultural activities (72.50%), awardee farmers are first in adoption of technologies (60.00%). awardee farmers were influencing other farmers to work hard and get high income from farming (70.83%), awardee farmers’ village recognized due to award receiving (65.83%).