International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Dr. V Prasuna and Dr. R Unesha Fareq

abstract
The role of adequate cleanliness and hygiene has become inevitable in controlling the spread of infection in public places and private places. Cleaning reagents are substances usually liquids, powders, sprays or granules used to remove dirt including dust, stains, foul orders and clutter on surfaces. Purposes of cleaning reagents include health, hygiene, removing offensive odor and avoiding the spread of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. A skill development training programme was designed and conducted to create awareness on the importance of household cleaning reagents in daily life and the production of these household cleaning products to start as a small-scale enterprise by rural adolescents and women. The training programme was conducted at Nidumukkala and Venigandla Village of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 120 rural adolescent girls and women aged 18-35 years were purposively selected as trainees for the training programme. Most of the trainees (70.83%) participated in the programme had minimum educational qualification of Intermediate education where as 16.66% studied class X and 12.55% had degree qualification. Pre-training and post training assessment tests were collected from trainees to know the existing knowledge and effectiveness of the training programme. Demonstrations on preparation of various cleaning reagents for five days such as Detergent powder (Surf), Liquid Dish washer, Liquid Hand wash, Floor Cleaner and Liquid detergent were imparted to the participants. The Participants are given demonstration and hands on experience on preparation of household cleaning reagents and were trained in identifying the list of raw materials needed to prepare the cleaning reagents. All participants in batches have prepared the cleaning reagents. Further demonstration on weighing the product, packing, sealing and labelling the product was explained so that the women can start it as small-scale enterprise for income generation. Participants were given information on the preparation of various household cleaning reagents to be used for various purposes along with proportioned chemicals, method of mixing and proper procedures. Trainees were briefed about precautions to be followed in using chemicals to prepare the household cleaning reagents. The training programme ended with valedictory session exhibiting various cleaning reagents prepared by the trainees. The trainees expressed that they were satisfied with the training programme. Few of them expressed about provision of financial assistance to them by the various financial institutes and provision for marketing avenues for establishment and marketing their products.