Perceived Usefulness Of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) And Farmers’ Self-Esteem: An Empirical Study In Telangana

Abstract

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programmes have emerged as important policy instruments for strengthening farmers' livelihood security and improving the efficiency of agricultural welfare delivery in India. Among these, PM-KISAN and Telangana's Rythu Bandhu scheme represent major income-support interventions aimed at reducing financial vulnerability among farming households. While previous studies have primarily examined the economic outcomes of DBT programmes, their psychological implications remain relatively underexplored. The present study investigates the relationship between perceived usefulness of DBT schemes and farmers' self-esteem in Telangana. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 140 farmers through a structured questionnaire. Perceived usefulness was assessed using constructs adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), while selfesteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The findings revealed significant differences in perceived usefulness and self-esteem across gender, income, land ownership, and beneficiary status. Beneficiary farmers reported significantly higher perceived usefulness and self-esteem than non-beneficiaries. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship was observed between perceived usefulness and self-esteem, indicating that farmers who perceived DBT schemes as beneficial were more likely to report higher levels of confidence and self-worth. The study concludes that agricultural welfare interventions contribute not only to economic support but also to positive psychosocial outcomes, highlighting the importance of incorporating psychological dimensions into the evaluation of agricultural welfare policies.