Effectiveness of media package for creating awareness among rural women regarding use of lemon grass medicinal plant (Cymbopogon citratus)

To check the effectiveness of developed media package on Lemon grass plant, a sample of 130 rural women from 13 villages of Ludhiana district was purposively selected. The data were collected in April and May 2024 from Ludhiana district and were analyzed with the help of percentage, mean score and paired t-test. The media package containing printed material, WhatsApp messages and video clips on Lemon Grass plant was developed and validated by 30 Subject Matter Specialists. Effectiveness of media package was measured in terms of mean change in health benefit, its nutritive value and usage into different forms of Lemon grass for curing various ailments and awareness level of the respondents after the exposure of the media package. Interview schedule was constructed to collect data on status of growing Lemon Grass plant and to measure awareness related to health benefits of Lemon Grass, its nutritive value and usage of Lemon Grass plant into different forms for curing various ailments. Data were collected into two phases. Before exposure to media package data regarding status of growing and awareness level of Lemon Grass plant was collected. Printed materials related to Lemon Grass plant were distributed to the respondents. WhatsApp message and video clips were sent to the rural women through online platform. After 25 days post awareness data were collected. Results of the study showed significant change between pre and post awareness mean score regarding all the parameters of Lemon Grass plant. So, the prepared media package is proved to be effective to motivate people for growing and creating awareness about Lemon Grass plant. This media package can be used by Extension personnel for their wider outreach.