International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Mehvish Bashir, Shijaatt Hussain Bhat, Shehnaz Begum, Puja Meenia, Sumaya Jan and Sadaf Hussain

abstract
The rapid growth of the global population has intensified the global demand for a highly skilled workforce, making effective skill development systems essential for improving employability, productivity and economic growth. Skill development plays a crucial role in reducing poverty and inequality by enhancing the capabilities of individuals to meet labour market demands. The present study was conducted in District Kupwara of the Kashmir Valley to assess knowledge gain among beneficiaries trained in three enterprises beekeeping, mushroom production and vermi-composting. A total of 108 respondents were selected, comprising 65 unit holders (30 beekeepers, 20 mushroom growers and 15 vermi-compost producers) and 43 non-unit holders (15 beekeeping trainees, 14 mushroom trainees and 15 vermi-composting trainees). In beekeeping, a majority (56.67%) of unit holders exhibited medium knowledge gain, followed by 36.66% with high gain and 6.67% with low gain, with a mean score of 37.42 (SD = 13.64). In contrast, non-unit holders showed predominantly low knowledge gain (60.00%), followed by medium (33.34%) and high (6.66%) levels. Among mushroom producers, 50.00% of unit holders reported medium knowledge gain, 35.00% high gain and 15.00% low gain, with a mean of 23.45 (SD = 6.62). Non-unit holders again showed lower improvement, with 64.28% registering low gain, 28.58% medium gain and 7.14% high gain. For vermi-composting, 46.67% of unit holders achieved high knowledge gain, 40.00% medium gain and 13.33% low gain, with a mean of 29.57 (SD = 5.15). Conversely, 64.28% of non-unit holders recorded low knowledge gain, followed by medium (28.58%) and high (7.14%) levels, with a mean score of 18.13 (SD = 4.01).The results clearly indicate that unit holders benefited more from training compared to non-unit holders across all enterprises.