Indian Journal of Extension... · Web viewC. Thanaban1, J. Vasanthakumar2 and S. Arulraj3 ABSTRACT The study was conducted among the farmers of Kasaragod District in Kerala state

Indian Journal of Extension Education

Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (1-7)

Assessment of Recommended Water Management Technologies

Souvik Ghosh, Dinesh Chandra and P.Nanda

ABST RACT

This study was undertaken to assess the water management technologies from farmers

perspective, in the state of West Bengal and Orissa. The data were collected from 150 farmers

through interview schedules. The investigation showed that farmers perceived most of the

technologies as appropriate, but doubted their adoptability due to various socio-economic and

technological constraints.

Agro-technologies inclusive of water management technologies generated so far have been

readily accepted by the resource-rich farmers and in resource rich areas but the vast complex,

diverse and risk prone (CDR) areas i.e. rainfed agriculture encompassing millions of small and

marginal fanners are left outside the realm of technological development (Das, 1996).

Recommendations have been made to find solutions to many problems relating to water

management in agriculture and efforts have been made to transfer the technology to the fanners.

However, a large number of recommended technologies do not find favour with the farmers.

They are either being adopted in piece-meal or not at all (Singh and Gill, 1993; Singh and

Schiere, 1994; Singh, 1996). To take the benefits of scientific recommendations to the millions

of small and marginal faimers it is required to look at technology more from the point of view of

appropriateness and overall feasibility (Chambers and Jiggins, 1986; Osten, 1989; Bernadas,

1991). Inspite of being the most fundamental stakeholder, the fai mers often receive the least

attention during any impact/ assessment study (Chambers, 1998). Therefore, to draw the insights

of technological interventions for agricultural water management a study was undertaken to

assess the technologies from the farmers' perspectives.


42, No. 1 & Z 2006 (8-13)

Field level Utilization Of Microirrigation Technology in Coconut

C. Thanaban1, J. Vasanthakumar2 and S. Arulraj3

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted among the farmers of Kasaragod District in Kerala state with the

objective to analyse the utilization of recommended practices for the effective implementation of

microirrigation technology in coconut farming. The study was conducted with an ex-post--facto

research design among 200 adopters of microirrigation technology engaged in coconut farming.

An adoption index was developed for analyzing the extent of adoption of recommended practices

of microirrigation technology in coconut farming. The results showed that about one-fifth of the

farmers were belonging to the low adoption category. Items, viz., type of filter used, type of

emitter used and ensuring field uniformity had higher levels of adoption. None of the farmers

adopted the fertigation in their drip irrigation unit. Volume of water applied per palm per day,

placement of dripping point and root zone area wetted were the other items which had low

adoption scores. It was revealed that variables viz., faun size, annual income, scientific

orientation and extension contact had significant and positive relationship with extent of

adoption. The results of the study revealed the urgent need to plan and implement appropriate

educational efforts for enhancing the adoption of recommended practices by the coconut farmers

who had already implemented the technology in their orchards.

Future water shortages and emerging environmental concerns place microirrigation in the

forefront of technological alternatives for the sustainable development of agicultural sector.

According to Annan. (2002), in order to save two thirds of the world's population from facing

serious water shortages in the decades ahead, leakage and wastage of water must be reduced,

especially in agriculture by following the approach, what he termed as, 'more crop per drop'.

Coconut is the most important crop cultivated in Kerala Stme, which plays a vital role in the

agrarian economy of the State. However, the productivity level remained low in the State

compared to many other states of India. Lack of inigation is one of the major reasons attributed

to the low level of productivity of coconut in Kerala State (Rajagopal et al., 2001). Scarcity of

irrigation water is also considered as one of the major constraints in resource use management in

coconut farming in Kerala. The northern parts of the State receive 75 per cent of the rainfall

during the period from June to August. A prolonged duration of summer results in moisture

stress which adversely affects the crop productivity. Farmers became aware of the

microirrigation technology for coconut during the early 1980's and consequently many coconut

growers have installed microirrigation system in their gardens. Government also implemented

programmes that encouraged farmers to adopt water conserving microirrigation technology by

providing


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (14-19)

Motivational Profile of Agriculture University Scientists

B. U. Dupare1 and B. P. Sinha2

ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to investigate the motivational profile of scientists of Dr. Punjabrao

Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, situated in Maharashtra. The data on motivational profile were

collected through Thematic Apperception Test from 47 scientists. The study revealed that the

university scientists irrespective of their status as a project leader on associate had a similar

motivational profile with expressed need for infleunce and achievement for self and relatively

much less concern for social achievement. The study showed the need for enhanced the

motivational level with regard to social action.

Research is a creative activity, which needs an atmosphere that provides freedom, challenges and

motivation. (Singh et at, 2002). Motivation is a goal directed and need satisfying behavior. It

plays a vital role in life. Motive sets an individual into action. It energizes individual to strive

and accomplish something remarkable or to do his best in excelling others in any task

performance. In the condition of limited resources as in case of developing economies like India

and more so in case of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), where resources and rewards are

always limited, persons with higher need for achievement tend to aggressively compete with

each other. This creates competitive behavior especially among managers and in turn tends to

promote work climate of mistrust and negative images. Keeping this in view, the present study

was conducted with the specific objectives of the studying the motivational profile of agricultural

researchers who are working in the institutional research projects of SAU either as a project

leaders or in the capacity of associates.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (20-24)

Information Need of Farm Women of Iran

Ahmad Rezvanfar l, Hommauon Moradnezhai 2 and Ms. Marjan3

Abstract

This Study investigates the information needs and information seeking behaviour of farm women

in Ilam state of Iran. The study was carried out in the rural communities of Shirvan-chardavol

district of the state. To study, a sample of 125 farm women were selected using cluster sampling

technique. Results show that the information needs of farm women in study area are mostly

occupation directed. Their main important sources of information include friends, husband,

neighbors and other native sources. The study recommends that the farm women in Ilam state

urgently need the formal system of information provision like the services of extension personal

and agricultural information officers.

Farm women in Hain State of Iran play an important role in managing different kinds of farm

and home affairs. Jamshidi (2004) reported, about 60 percent of women in farm families

involved in rice production and related activities in Ilam State. About 90 percent and 86 percent

engaged in grain production and dairy farming. So it shows that women not only involved in

home activities, but also play a significant role in farm production. Fatin women take decisions

in their day-to-day lives that many affect them. In talking decisions, however, farm women are

greatly aided by the amount of information available to them about their felt needs. So that,

training and dissemination of information to farm women will be a critical input for the

modernizing of farm production and home management in rural areas (World Bank, 1992).

Keeping the role of farm women in mind, there is a need for training farm women regarding to

necessary technologies, so that they can perform those activities with more competences.

Meanwhile, a pit-requisite to reach this, is to access information needs and information seeking

behavior of farm women.

The advances in information technology have brought an explosion in information flow. In

agriculture, for instance, there is a large quantity of information on various sources, channels and

web sites on the internet, but the information tends to be one-sided, as it is gathered from

research stations in the developed fields. This study is an attempt to identify the information

needs and information seeking behavior of farm women in rural areas of Iran, using the

experience of farm women in selected agricultural communities of Ilam state, as the primary

reference point.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (25-30)

Constraints Faced by Agri-Business Operators

S. S. Vinayagam1 and P. S. Geetbakutty2

ABSTRACT

This paper is based on a study conducted in Palakkad, Thrissur and Erankulam districts of Kerala

state with an objective to identify the constraints, which influence the entrepreneurial behaviour

of agri-business operators. Agri-business operators are defined as those who either cultivate any

crop or undertake any on-farm business activities related to agriculture or agricultural produce

with commercial perspective and motives. Based on this, the respondents were classified into

commercial farmers, on-farm (poultry and nursery units) and off-farm (poultry and nursery units)

agri-business operators. Crops like rice, banana, coconut and rubber were selected covering 240

agri-business operators in eight panchayats of three districts. The findings highlight the

constraints commonly faced by the different categories of respondents influencing

entrepreneurial behaviour and their agri-business performance in the following descending order

-finance, marketing, raw materials, labour, technical and managerial assistance and electricity.

The entrepreneurial behaviour index and agribusiness performance index of the agri-business

operators exhibited highly significant correlation with their score on perceived constraints.

Five-year plans undertaken by the government as well as scientific break-through in agricultural

front have resulted in spectacular increase in agricultural production with a compound growth

rate of 2.5 percent per annum over the last three decades. The food production in country has

increased from 50 million tonnes in the fiftees to 212 million tones in 2002. However, with this

comfortable agricultural situation, seasonal rains affect agricultural growth in India, which poses

serious problems in increasing production and productivity of crops, particularly during the year

when monsoon fails creating drought conditions. Again, sometimes untimely, unseasonal, or

excessive rains also damage the crops. It is rightly said that agriculture in India is a gamble for

the farmers, particularly those dependent solely on monsoon. To mitigate the effect of such

situations to a certain extent, of course, research emanated technologies are available, but

remarkable growth in agriculture may be obtained if proper entrepreneurial skill and hard work

are geared up amicably (Patel, 1995).

The importance of agri-business in nation's development is being increasingly recognized and

financing for agri-business enterprise has grown considerably in recent years. Policy makers

have rediscovered that creating a strong agri-business sector is prerequisite to achieve viable

industrialization. Agri-business can only be as strong as its agro-industry and vice versa. In

developing countries, both agricultural and on-farm/off-farm components become increasingly

significant and preserve the overall economic contribution of agri-business (Austin, 1992). In

Kerala, the state government has come out in a big way with a number of promotional

programmes for agri-business entrepreneurs, to motivate and train them through organised

programmes and through different agencies. On the whole, in the trade scenario of Kerala there

is steady increase in the number of entrepreneurs, which has been felt in the state economy

(Beegam and Sarngadharan, 1994). This study is an attempt to identify the constraints perceived

by the entrepreneurs in performing their agri-business in relation with their entrepreneurial

behavior.


Vol.42, No. I & 2, 2006 (31-35)

Farm Opinion Leaders and Transfer of Aquaculture Technology

M.Kumaran1

ABSTRAC

Identification and use of faun opinion leaders whose early adoption of innovations will trigger

other adoptions could be a novel idea to reach the aqua farmers pervading across the coastal

States and Union territories of India. Nine such farm leaders highly trusted by fellow farmers

were identified in three coastal districts of Tamil Nadu State using sociometry. The leaders are

local residents and pioneers in aquaculture who had access to new information through their

close rapport with R&D agencies of aquaculture. Most of them dealt shrimp/fish feed and other

inputs on credit basis and had powerful influence on the farming community. Identification such

opinion leaders of aquaculture, establishment of communication links with them through district

level extension officials, creating awareness and capacity building of opinion leaders by R D

organizations in innovations, guidelines, best management practices etc., would assure

sustainable coastal aquaculture in India.

The guiding theme for diffusion and adoption research in agriculture was a two-step flow of

communication - a process of information moving from the source to opinion leaders and from

opinion leaders to the fellow farmers (Muthiah, 1981; Rogers, 1995 & 1998; Ronald Burt, 1999

Sundaramari, 1989). Opinion leaders of a community/ society are persons on whom the people

have faith due to their social, cultural, economic or political standing. Generally People approach

opinion leaders to seek advise on the Problems faced by them in all facets of life. Opinion

leaders ire more precisely opinion brokers who can carry information across the social and

economic boundaries. They act as legitimizers of planned change and could influence the

decision of the opinion seekers. An opinion leader is expected to have more formal education,

higher socio-economic status, progressive, cosmopolite, more social participation and exposure

to mass media. They amplify the message dissemination in the society and often counter the

possible impact of unfavourable propaganda (Ray, 1991).

Earlier studies conducted on the sources of information for aqua farmers have indicated that

inputs dealers/ representatives and fellow farmers were the major sources of information

(Immanuel and Alex, 1998; Kumaran et al., 2003; Meeran and Jayaseelan 1999 and Ponnusamy

et al. 1999). Since the R&D institutions had minimum impact on the information dissemination it

is very essential that a two-step communication pattern of Research institutions/ Extension

departments (major sources of information) - to - Opinion Leaders - to - Fellow farmers has to be

established. In this context opinion leader who is also a progressive farmer could contribute

significantly in aquaculture extension and play a decisive role in influencing the decisions of

fellow farmers. Identification of people whose early adoption will trigger other adoptions and use

them in the process of technology transfer and obtaining field feedback could be a novel

approach to reach the hitherto unreachable end-users. Keeping this in view an investigation was

carried out in Tamil Nadu State of India to identify the opinion leaders among the shrimp

farmers who can influence the decisions of fellow farmers.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (36-42)

Institutionalization of Development Processes in Watershed Project

Lakhan Singh1 and B. P. Sinha2

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to investigate the peoples' involvement in community institutions

created for Doon Valley watershed management project. Data were collected from 96 farmers

through interview schedule. The investigation showed that the greater involvement of successful

villagers was due to their concern for medium to long-term socio-economic concerns. However,

the villagers of less successful villages were attracted by smaller personal benefits. The desire to

acquire fame and recognition was the dominant force which mobilised both successful and less

successful group of farmers. Further, most of the villagers were quite cynical about the village

institutions and expressed lack of faith in project functionaries.

The` Doon Valley Integrated Watershed Management' project was initiated in June 1993 by the

Government of Uttar Pradesh with technical and financial assistance of European Commission,

which focussed on the participatory and integrated approach to watershed management. The

project aimed at socio-economic development of local people through community participation

and involvement. The people's involvement in the project through community participation was

channeled through people's institutions created for the purpose. Gaon Resource Management

Association (GAREMA), Self Help Group (SHG) and Users Group (UG) created by the project,

were considered as people's institutions. This paper discusses the people's responses to these

institutions.


42, No. I & 2, 2006 (43-48)

Role of Veterinary Officers: Expectations of Livestock Owners

Barsati Lal1, H. P. S. Arya2 and M. K. Mandape3

ABSTRACT

Role of Veterinary Officers as expected by the livestock owners in seven role segments, viz

health care, breeding, feeding, fooder production, management, office and miscellaneous work

were studied. The study was conducted in purposively selected eight villages of Bareilly district.

From a combined list of households of all the eight villages (four from project and four from

non-project area) owning dairy animals, 100 livestock owners were selected randomly and

interviewed with the help of structured interview schedule. The expectations of livestock owners

were found very high in most of the activities viz, health care, feeding, management and fodder

production. However, expectations were some extent lower in case of the breeding and office

related roles.

The basic objective of an organisation is to provide requisite opportunities and facilities to the

individuals to perform his/her role effectively. The role system of any organisation is the total

complex of expectations about role requirements and role performance. Role can be defined as

the assignment of task to a particular individual (Herman, 1973). The veterinary civil hospitals

were estabilished for providing timely veterinary aid, treatment of sick animals and control of

contageous and epidemic diseases. The veterinary officer is the main input and functionary at a

veterinary hospital. He plays different roles looking after various aspects of animal husbandry

like, treatment, vaccination, breeding, feeding and management of livestock. He is also supposed

to play educational role too. All above mentioned roles of veterinary officer are very much

related and concerned with the livestock owners, But, what the livestock owners expect from him

is not known to then. Resultantly, he is not able to behave with them in the way, they expect, this

creates role conflicts and disturbances in his working on one hand and frustration amongst

livestock owners on the other hand. Earlier studies on this aspect were related to analysis of role

of Animal Husbandry Officer in Haryana (Kaul, 1967), Role Performance of Veterinary

Assistant Surgeons, (Rao, 1982), and Role conflicts and its consequences (Kumar, 1982). All the

above studies were related to only Veterinary Officers and investigators used the infoimation

collected from them only. None of them used the information collected from livestock owners'

expectations from veterinary officer, which is very essential and warranted because, they are the

clients to whom he has to serve. Therefore, keeping in view this background the study was

undertaken with an objective to analyse the role of veterinary officers as expected by the

livestock owners.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (54-59)

Preferred Possession and Selling Mode for Murrah Buffalo

Mai Chand1, Ram Kurnar2 and D. D. Sharma3

ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken in Rohtak and Jind districts in Haryana to investigate the preferred

possession and selling mode for Murrah buffaloe. Data were collected from 200 dairy farmers.

The study revealed that the most preferred mode of passion was 'rearing from birth' (34%) and

'purchasing' (32.5%). Most of the farmers (66.50) were inclined to sell the animals and the

preferred mode of selling was through 'exporters'. The investigation showed the need for

educating the farmers about conserving the good germplasm of Murrah buffaloes.

Popularly known as India's milking machine', buffalo is considered as the mainstay of Indian

dairy industry. It contributes more than 55 per cent to the total 68 million metric tones of the

milk produced in the country (Misra et al., 1998). That may be the reason, it is rightly called as

the "bearer cheque" of the rural folk. Haryana State has been well known for its `Murrah' breed

of buffalo which has attracted even the foreign markets. But, the situation in respect of Murrah

buffalo in the state is quite pitiable. Due to its attractive appearance and high milk yielding

capacity, the breed is either exported from the state or is being deteriorated by following

inappropriate breeding practices. Consequently, the number of Murrah buffaloes is declining day

by day. So, how to check this fall off was one of the issues which needed immediate attention of

the scientists, policy maker and Government officials concerned. Keeping this in view, the

present study entitled "dairy farmers' possession and selling mode of Murrah buffalo" was under

taken.


Vol. 42, NO. I & 2, 2006 (60-65)

Linkage Mapping of Dairy Knowledge Information System

Anindita Saha' and Jamcy Gupta2

ABSTRACT

Studying Dairy Knowledge Information System (DKIS) in terms of generation, dissemination,

transformation, utilization, storage and retrieval of knowledge and information is needed for

dairy development. Efforts are being made to map the linkages among various actors of DKIS.

The study was conducted in purposively selected Birbhum district of West Bengal. Dairy

farmers, extensionists and dairy researchers were considered as respondents. Information

obtained from all the actors of DKIS was summarized in matrix form to analyze the extent of

information exchange among various actors pertaining to breeding, feeding and management

aspects of dairy animals. The matrices revealed that information flow was linear in majority of

the cases. The feedback got blocked with some of the actors, as upstream flow of information

was weak.

The linkages between research and extension have been identified as one of the weakest areas of

agricultural technology systems. The most important aspect of the linkage process is the

information flow. Earlier, farming system, extension, agricultural technology development,

research and policy making were considered as separate entities each with its own set of issues,

managed by groups of researchers and professionals. There is a conceptual progression from

looking at various institutions and practices such as farming system development (FSD),

extension and research in isolation to considering the linkages between pairs of these elements

and now to looking at all the elements as an agricultural knowledge information system (AKIS).

AKIS respond to technology, knowledge and information needs of farmers helping them in

decision-making and management of their farms. A need for research with an approach based on

this paradigm shift is felt necessary to strengthen the responsiveness of research towards the

problems and opportunities of farmers. The basic assumption is that information relevant for

decision-making is generated by different actors and reaches fanners in many different

ways. Keeping these in view an attempt was made to analyze who contribute, which kind of

knowledge and information to decision making in dairying and what are the relationships

between different actors in the system. With reference to dairying the AKIS is suitably named as

DKIS i.e. Dairy Knowledge Information System Thus, the present study was undertaken with the

specific objective to map the diary knowledge information system (DKIS) with respect to

various categories of dairy farmers. Mapping is a very useful tool to draw a comprehensive view

of the information system and to analyze the linkages in it. The mapping of the information

linkage matrix to analyze the extent of information exchange between various actors pertaining

to different subject matter area was used as a tool to analyze knowledge information system by

Van Beek, 1991; Blum, 1991; NRTI, 1992; Blum, 1996; Blunt and Katz, 1997; Gupta, 1998 and

Diagra, 2000.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (66-70)

Effectiveness of Self Help Groups

M. H. Renjitha 1and Premlata Singh2

ABSTRACT

Women Self Help Groups are bringing out a silent revolution in all faces of rural society. A

study was conducted in Kerala state to develop a self-help group functioning effectiveness index

and evaluate the functional effectiveness of groups covered under study. The study revealed that

characteristics like trust, co-operation, communication, group size, motivation, goal achievement

and decision making enhance the effectiveness of functioning whereas, competition between the

members retards the effectiveness. In the initial stages of group development monetary benefits

acted as the most important facilitating factor which were later replaced by social belongingness

and improved social status factors. Major hindering factors that operated at the group formation

stage were also monetary in nature but turned out to be management problems at the later stages

of group development.

Even today, rural women with their considerable contribution to food security, remain as the

most disadvantaged section of the society. Several programmes were envisaged to uplift their

present status but most of them lacked sustenance. Significance of the concept of self help

groups (S HG) comes in this context, where rural women join hands to help themselves. The

hidden potential in this concept has led to the mushrooming of such women self help groups

throughout the country. The present study was an attempt to evaluate the functioning of such

women self help groups and to identify different facilitating and hindering factors operating at

different stages of group development.The specific objectives were: i) To develop a self help

group functioning effectiveness index (SHGFEI), ii) To evaluate the functioning of self help

groups under study using SHGFEI and iii) To identify different facilitating and hindering factors

operating at different stages of group development.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (71-73)

Correlates of Job Satisfaction and Job Performance

B. S. Meena l and Baldeo Singh2

ABSTRACT

The present investigation aimed at analyzing the vocational trainings imparted by Krishi Vigyan

Kendras run by ICAR, SAUs and NGOs in Rajasthan state and ascertain their comparative

performance. The findings of this study reveals that maximum number of trainer of NGO KVK

(70%) has post graduate degree' whereas SAU and IGAR KVK had 42.10 and 27.27 post

graduate trainers, respectively. The majority of trainers (57.90%) in SAU KVK were from rural

agricultural families while about 60% in NGO KVK belonged to urban areas. In terms of job

satisfaction, the majority of the trainers in ICAR KVK (63.63%), SAU KVK (68.92%) and NGO

KVK (50%) were reported to have medium level of job satisfaction. However, the trainers in

SAU and ICAR KVK were relatively more satisfied than the trainer of NGO KVK. The job

insecurity was the major contrainst for low level of job satisfaction. The trainers of NGO KVK

stood first (40%) followed by ICAR and SAU in terms of job performance.

Establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras is a landmark in the transfer of technology programmes

in India. These are the grass root level vocational training institutions designed for bridging the

gap between the available techniques at one end and their application for increased production at

other. The success of these kendras depends on many factors including infrastructural facilities,

transport facilities and competence of trainers who are directly involve in conducting training

programmes for their clients. The traits of the trainers working in the KVKs influenced their job

satisfaction and job performance level which has direct bearing on the effective functioning of

KVKs. Keeping in view the study was undertaken to study the factors related with job

satisfaction and performance.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (74-80)

ABSTRACT

This study was formulated to assess the impact of educational technology on students'

development. The study was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore,

covering undergraduate students of three Agricultural Colleges namely, Bangalore, Mandya and

Shimoga. A sample of 185 students studying under semester system was contacted and the data

were collected through well-structured questionnaire. The results revealed that majority of the

under-graduate students were of the opinion that the curriculum was useful to them. The extent

of use of instructional methods and instructional aids was moderate and students were of the

opinion that the evaluation procedure followed was rigid and teaching-learning situation was

congenial. The impact of education technology on students' development was medium which

calls for greater importance to educational technology in SAU's to achieve quality of education

in the years to come.

Educational technology is a pre-requisite to achieve quality education and is a crucial and the

most powerful element in the process of economic development and social change in building

the nation. The National Policy of Education (NPE, 1986) cites human being as a positive asset

and a precious national resource which needs to be cherished, nurtured and developed with

tender care and dynamism. NPE laid special emphasis on the use of educational technology for

improving the quality as well as quantity of education for the first time in the history of Indian

education. The Ministry of Education & Social Welfare, Government of India realized the

importance of educational technology for quality improvement of education during 1971. As a

result, National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT), New Delhi came into

existence in 1973. Agricultural Universities do have concern for imparting quality education in

agriculture and allied sectors to the students with proper pre-service training in agriculture.

The curriculum is the central part of the agricultural education in offering qualitative education

besides other factors, such as physical facilities. The University of Agricultural Sciences,

Bangalore (UASB) at present has eight teaching campuses and offers nine Under-graduate

degree programmes in Agriculture, Veterinary, Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing & Co-

operation, Dairy Technology, Sericulture, Forestry and Fisheries Sciences. In the four years

B.Sc. (Agri.) degree programme under Semester system 62 courses were offered in 28

disciplines. However, the system of education expects students to be accountable for their

studies, teachers for their teaching, research and extension and the University as a whole, for the

quality of education besides other duties. Keeping these points in view an attempt has been made

in this study to assess the effectiveness of educational technology on students' development in a

State Agricultural University of Karnataka (UASB) with the following specific objectives:

1) To enumerate the educational technology employed in terms of curriculam, instructional

methods, instructional aids and evaluation system followed in an Agricultural University

as perceived by the students.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (81-87)

Know ledge Level of Fish Farmers About Fish Production Technology

Vikram Sharma 1 and S. N. Laharia2

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to study the knowledge level of farmers about fish

production. The study was conducted with 58 fishery farmers in 50 villages under ten Blocks

of five districts which were randomly selected representing different classes formed on the

basis of ground water quality. Fish farmers in Haryana were of comparatively young age

group as well as belonged to dominant caste. On an average they possessed 2.64 acre of pond

and they had low to medium level of material possession. The knowledge level of fish

farmers about recommended fish practices was low (39.63%). It was slightly higher with

respect to pre-stocking (42.88%) than post-stocking (36.38%). It was also observed that there

was considerable variation in their knowledge on different aspects/items.

India is the sixth largest producer (5477 mt) of fish in the world after China (39937), Peru

(7878), Japan (7408), Chile (6366) and U.S.A (5493) as the total world fish production is

130882 million tones, while it is the second largest producer of inland fish after China.

India's contribution in the world production has improved from 3.70 per cent in 1951 to 4.18

per cent in 1997. The export potential has also increased considerably. The fish export from

India was only 19.7 thousand tonnes in 1950-51, which has increased nearly 15 times in

1995-96. This sector provides employment to 57.70 lakhs fishermen with an equally

impressive segment of the population engaged in ancillary activities associated with fisheries.

At the time of formation of Haryana state in 1966, fisheries was at a rudimentary stage in the

State, but the state has now earned a reputation of being one of the most "go ahead" state of

the country and ranks second in per hectare fish production. Its geographical area of 44212 sq

kms and is a land locked State. Haryana has got 5000 kms of rivers and canals, 0.10 lakh

hactare of tanks and ponds.

In total it has got 0.49 lakh hectares of water bodies. The climatic conditions of the state are

not much conducive for fish production as negligible growth of fish occurs during severe

winter months when the temperature is below 3°C. Despite the climatic adversaries, the State

has produced fish to the tune of 11,000 kg/hectare/year by manipulating stocking and

preferential harvesting. There are two types of ownership of these ponds, i.e., panchayat and

individuals. Panchayat ponds constitute more than 80 per cent of the water area. In 1966-67,

only 58 hectare water area in the shape of village ponds was under fish culture while it has

now increased more than 150 times having the total area of 8882.17 hectare in 2004- 05.

Similarly, total production from ponds was only 62 tonnes in 1966-67, while it has increased

to 42050 tonnes in 2004- 05. At the time of creation of Haryana, fish production was mainly

from natural water resources and culture fisheries had been contributing only 10.3 per cent of

the total fish production. At present, fish production from ponds contributes 74.6 per cent of

the total fish production. The Present study was, therefore undertaken to find out the

knowledge level of fishery growers about improved fishery practices with respect to culture

fishery in the state.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (88-91)

Classroom Performance of University Teachers

Milind C. Ahire 1 and B. Kumar2

ABSTRACT

The study conducted at G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar.

Classroom performance of teachers was studied in terms of skill needed to make teaching

effective. It was revealed that most of the teachers while planning prepared objectives for

every lesson in advance, selected contents by referring two to three books, prepared two-

three pages draft of lecture and planned questions to be asked in the class. Teachers made

step by step plan of instruction, explained ideas and quoted examples to clarify points, kept

moderate pace of speaking and considered relationship of lesson to previous and future

lesson while organizing contents. After entering in the classroom they smiled and gave

friendly look, began lecture by reviewing last lecture, created interest by using students input.

All teachers used blackboard, asked question to check understanding of students, called

students by name and made review of the class at the end.

India has developed strong agricultural education system since the independence. The

establishment of SAUs on the pattern similar to that of land-grant colleges of the United

States, made landmark in reorganizing and strengthening agricultural education system The

green revolution, with its impressive social and economic input would have not been possible

without the contribution of these centers of learning in the form of development of trained

scientific manpower, the generation and assessment of new technologies and their

dissemination to the farming community. The human resources developed in agricultural

education system has been instrumental in agricultural transformation in the country.

However, agricultural education system has not kept pace with the rapid technological

development taking place globally. College teachers enter the profession on the basis of

academic qualification and not on their ability to teach. It is frequent practice to select young

men who have made high grades in college. They begin teaching without any instruction in

the learning process, philosophy of education or method in teaching. They are judged by

researches and publication they do, while the quality of their teaching is seldom the topic of

discussion. Now, that the competitiveness for job is increasing rapidly and numbers of

government jobs are fast shrinking there is need to examine the current status of instructional

quality and environment. Researches in this important area are almost non-existent.

Therefore, it is to find out as to what ails teaching at present. Keeping this in mind, the

present study was conducted with the following objectives: (1) to assess personal,

psychological and professional characteristics of teachers and (2) to analyze classroom

behavior of teachers.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (92-95)

Constraints in Adoption of Ber Production Technologies

S.R. Meena 1, D. G. Dhandar2 and O.P.Awasthi3

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted in Bikaner district of western Rajasthan during 2002-2003 to

assess the socio-psycho and economic hindrances in adoption of ber production technologies.

A total of 120 farmers were interviewed to collect the information. The study reveals that

attachment with traditional cropping systems and cultural practices, lack of knowledge of

new technologies, fear of crop failure, fear of attack of diseases, distress sale and poor

bargaining, low demand and consumption in local markets, monopoly of private brokers in

purchasing of ber fruits, non availability of inputs on reliable costs in the locality are the

major socio-psycho and economic hindrances in adoption of innovative her production

technologies.

Ber is an important indigenous fruit and one of the most ancient fruits of India. It is a drought

hardy fruit crop and can be grown in very harsh climatic conditions like hot arid eco-system

of Bikaner district of western Rajasthan. The farmers of Bikaner district are very eager to

adopt ber plantation and are planting ber trees on their fields. However, the progresses of

adoption of ber production technologies is very slow and limited. Various research

organizations and agricultural universities have evolved different production technologies of

ber. However, the rate of adoption of the recommended technologies amongst the farmers is

very slow and poor. Several factors may be attributed towards lower adoption of new

technologies. The factors such as socio-psycho and economic status of the farmers play an

important role in technology adoption behaviour. Keeping this in mind, a study was

conducted in Bikaner district of western Rajasthan to evaluate the socio-psycho and

economic hindrances in adoption of innovative ber production technologies and to invite the

suggestions from the farmers to overcome these hindrances.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (96-99)

Factors Influencing the Participation of People in Social Forestry Programme

P. S. Swathilekshmi 1 and R. Annamalai 2

ABST ACT

Social forestry means planting of trees which are useful for community development. Forests

can be preserved only through people's participation and by creating a climate under which

the poor derive due benefits from forest development. In this study, factors influencing

people's participation in social forestry programme was studied. The study was carried out in

the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala State, India. A total of 120 farmers consisting of

60 small and 60 marginal farmers were selected using simple random sampling procedure

from 6 blocks of the district where all the programme components were implemented. Out of

the nine independent variables studied only social participation of the marginal farmers and

occupation of the small farmers had a positive and significant relationship with their

participation in social forestry programme.

Social forestry programme in India has failed to muster iii) To find out the influence of the

socio-personal. people's involvement and participation in the various activities socio-

psychological and socio-economic characteristics on like plantation activities, strip

plantations, fodder plantations farmers participation in social forestry programme. and

nursery activities. The social forestry schemes continue to be mainly a government

programme without adequate local participation as viewed by Bapat and Shailaja (1983). The

participation of the people is mainly restricted to farm forestry in their own lands. Hence an

attempt was made to find out the influence of farmers socio-personal, socio-psychological

and socio-economic characteristics on their participation in social forestry programme.

Keeping this in view, the study was conducted with the following objectives:

i) To study the extent of participation of the respondents in social forestry programme.

ii) ii) To find out the relationship of characteristics of respondents with their

participation in social forestry.

iii) To find out the influence of the socio-personal, socio-psychological and social


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (100-102)

Effectiveness of Expert System on Knowledge Retention

N. Balasubramani1 , P. S. Swathilekshmi 2 and K. Chandrakandan3

ABSTRACT

Artificial intelligence based computer programmes called Expert System has received a great

deal of attention throughout the world, due to its impressive problem solving capability in a

variety of fields. For the present study, an expert system named as RUBEXS-04 was

designed to simulate the pest and disease diagnosing behaviour. The RUBEXS-04 thus

developed was tested for its relative effectiveness over four other different treatments such as

human experts without discussion, human experts with discussion, RUBEXS-04 without

discussion and RUBEXS-04 with discussion, using the multiple randomized design. The four

treatments were allotted to 12 experimental groups to find out the relative effectiveness of the

four selected treatments towards knowledge retention. Highest mean retention of knowledge

was observed when the subjects were exposed to RUBEXS-04 with discussion (Tr4). This

was followed by the treatments Tr2, Tr' and Tr' These four treatments were also found to be

significant at one per cent level in respect of mean knowledge retention after 15 days.

As agricultural technology is constantly subjected to metamorphosis over years, today's

farmers are swamped with many new cultivars, pesticides and farming techniques. In order to

make prudential and accurate decisions, farm managers/extension workers/farmers need

speedy access to advices on agricultural problems which should be timely, reliable and

consistent. Information and Communication Technology provides instant access to

agricultural information. knowledge based computer programmes or expert system

containing "expert knowledge" brings significant change in agriculture, in terms of reduced

costs, increased storage, early usage and speedy access. With this background, a study was

undertaken with the following objectives:

1. To study the effectiveness of the treatments in terms of knowledge retention among rubber

growers.

2. To propose strategies for designing and using expert system for effective technology

transfer.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (103-105)

Research Note

Adoption of IPM Practices by Trained and Untrained Farmers

S. Parthasarathi 1 and Santha Govind2

Present day world is much concern about the environmental issues. The eco-friendly

technologies are to be monitored and reviewed periodically for the favour of adoption. In

agriculture the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is much focused since the past.

IPM is a programme by farmers not for farmers. It seeks to empower farmers to become

managers and decision makers so that they can handle and control their farms, The IPM

programmes aims at educating the fanners and extension agencies through Farmers' Field

School (FFS) or IPM cluster demonstrations-cum-training. Santha (1992) reported that the

training on IPM promotes the adoption behavior of 1PM technologies among the farmers.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (106-109)

Research Note

Participation of Tribals and Non-Tribals in Agricultural Activities

Sujeet K.Jha 1, O. N. Kunzru2, Sabyasachi Das3, S. R. K. Singh4 and S. K.Jha5

Most of the tribal families, in India, in term of economic characteristics, belong to the

category of below poverty line. Most of them are involved in agricultural and dairy farming

activities; and, in addition, they also work as agricultural labourer. The present study was an

attempt to know their time utilization pattern in different activities/ enterprises, wherein the

main emphasis was on to study the involvement of the tribals and non-tribals in different

activities.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (110-115)

Research Note

Participation of Tribals in Household and Agricultural Activities

Raj Pathania 1 and Pawan Pathania 2

A large part of Himachal Pradesh is covered by snow clad peaks of the Himalayas and as

such there is low density of population. The inhabitants literally live in the lap of nature.

Because of their near total isolation from the mainstream for centuries, these inhabitants have

preserved their traditional culture in its pristine glory. Inspite of many invasions from foreign

forces, the glimpses of the age-old culture of our country can still be seen in these areas. The

original character of the culture and traditions has more or less stayed intact and has

remained free from any large scale acculturation.

Himachal Pradesh has a number of tribal communities such as Kinnauras, Lahaulas,

Pangwals, Swanglas, Ithampas, Bhots/Bodhs Jads, Lambs, Gujjars and Gaddis. They

comprise 4.00 per cent of the total population of the state. In Himachal Pradesh, the Kinnaura

is the single largest scheduled tribe which inhabit the district of Kinnaur. The tribal areas in

the state are spread over the districts of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Pangi and Bharmaur

sub-divisions of Chamba district. Snow glaciers, high altitude and highly rugged terrain

crisscrossed by fast flowing rivers and their tributaries are the peculiar features of the tribal

belt.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (116-117)

Research Note

Decision -Making Profile of Rural Women of Uttar Pradesh

Priya Vasishtha l and Bharat S. Sontakki2

In traditional village community, the women have been playing crucial role not only in

agricultural development and allied fields including crop production, livestock production,

horticulture, etc. but also in non-farm operations and household activities. Although they do

participate in decision making process related to farm and household activities, in patriarchal

society they play only supporting roles in agricultural related activities. Since the pattern of

their participation in decision-making vary according to regional and cultural norms, it was

contemplated to ascertain the decision-making profile in Uttar Pradesh. Thus, with this in

view, a study on this aspect was conducted in rural households of Aligarh and Agra districts.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (118-121)

Research Note

Factors Causing Illiteracy of Rural Women

Rekha Singh l, Prakash 2 and B. Mishra 3

The picture of girl child in education is grime and disturbing. As a child, she deserves basic

right but, education for girls/ women is considered wastage of time and money. Howsoever

better a girl may be in studies in comparison to her brother, it is the son who gets preference

for being sent for higher education and this happens not only in the homes of poor and

orthodox people but sometimes the same scenario prevails in the home of well-to-do

educated or so called modern families. The drop out rate of girls in adolescence is higher

owing to the two major reasons; the first being that home is considered to be 'safe' place for

the growing up girls and secondly she is more useful to the mother at the home (Puspha,

1983). Keeping in view the education as major issue, many researches have been conducted.

Tiwari (1992) concluded and recognized through surveys and reports of social scientist that

"South Asian girl child" as opposed to the "boy child" faces discrimination from the moment

she is born. She gets less to eat, has less access to schooling and is sick more often and get

less medical attention on different aspects. The different factors can be found in illiteracy of

rural women like social, economic, psychological, etc. Keeping in view, the present study

was undertaken to study the factors causing illiteracy of rural women.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (122-125)

Research Note

Decision Making Pattern of Dry Land Farmers

K. Thangaraj l and C. Karthikeyan2

In Tamil Nadu, area under dry farming constitutes 52 per cent of total cultivable area

contributing to 40 per cent of total food production. The productivity of crops grown in

dryland is not only low but also remain stagnant over years. Most of the areas in Tamil Nadu

come under semi arid tropical climate, except the hilly regions and east coast. Out of 5.50 m

ha of net sown area, nearly 3.20 mha are rainfed. Majority of the dryland farmers are small

farmers with scarce resources. The poor resource base allows only a low input subsistence

farming with low and unstable crop yield.

Decision making is important because much of the success of any enterprise and particularly

farming depends upon how well the family makes decision. For the purpose of studying the

decision making pattern in dry land faimers, the major decision making areas were identified

and classified into nine major headings like purchase of agricultural inputs, getting

loans/credits, investment decision, seeds and sowing, inter cultivation, harvesting, quantity of

produce to be stored, allied activities and marketing decisions. In this context, the present

study was taken up with the specific objective viz., to study the decision making pattern of

dry land farmers in agricultural and allied activities of dry farming.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (126-129)

Research Note

Constraints in Adoption of Recommended Cultivation Practices

by Coffee Growers

S. Thyagarajan 1 and K. S. R. P. Paranikumar2

Coffee is the most important beverage crop in the world and more than sixty per cent of

people from different countries have been addicted to taste of coffee. The major coffee

growing states in India are Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu covering ninety percent of the

total area. In Tamilnadu, coffee is cultivated in the belts of lower Palani hills, Anamalai hills,

the 'Nilgris and Salem districts. The demand for coffee in India is bound to increase steadily

in the coming years with the increasing population trend, development of industrial sectors

and considering the foreign exchange. Coffee cultivation is influenced by the number of

factors and constraints which make the coffee cultivation complex. The effects made though

the Coffee Board, Government of India has increased the area, but it did not reflect

significantly on coffee production. Keeping this in view, this study was taken up to identify

the constraints experienced by the coffee growers in adopting the recommended coffee

cultivation practices.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (130-132)

Research Note

Dairy farmer`s Perception of Improved dairy Husbandry Practices

A.S.Arora1, Avadhesh Kumar2, D.Bardhan3 and Y.P.S.Dabas 4

For making dairy business more remunerative, transfer of improved dairy husbandry practices to

the farmers is the need of the hour. Before transferring an improved technology, it would be

beneficial to know the perception of the farmers who have already adopted the practice towards

its simplicity or complexity, so that future extension services could be modified according the

attitude and perception of the farmers and more attention is devoted to transfer of practices

which are perceived to be complex by the adopters. This would ensure better acceptance and

adoption of the recommended practices by the farmers who have not yet adopted them. This

study is an attempt in this direction and tries to find out the perception of dairy farmers of

Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttaranchal about improved dairy husbandry practices in regard

to their simplicity and complexity.


Vol. 42, No. I & 2, 2006 (133-135)

Research Note

Impact of training on Plant Protection of Jute

Rajendra Chapke, N.C.Pandit,S.K.Das, C.R.Biswas and S.K.Jha*

Jute is an important fibre crop next to cotton, which plays important role in country's economy.

Raw jute being bio-degradable and annually renewable source, is considered as an environment-

friendly crop. To obtain good quality fibre and minimize the yield loss from different biotic

stress, adoption of appropriate plant protection measures is a vital component for production of

jute. Recent studies have shown that the problems of agricultural development are mainly related

to inadequate knowledge, skill and proper management. Training has been acclaimed as an

effective tool to develop the quality of human resource to gain confidence and capability of

individuals in relation to their needs and requirements. Against this backdrop the present study

was undertaken to assess level of knowledge gained about the course content of the training

programme.


Vol. 42, No. 1 & 2, 2006 (136-139)

Research Note

Impact of Capacity Building Measures of Integrated Wasteland

Development Project

Swarnalata Arya1 and Partap Singh2

Natural resource mobilisation and management along with watershed lines is becoming a key

strategy for rural development and poverty alleviation in rain fed areas. The emphasis in

watershed development is to enhance the productive base of rain fed agricultural and biomass

based livelihood systems. Watershed development as a comprehensive and intersectoral activity,

with the active participation of primary stakeholders requires capacity building and hand holding

in technical, social, gender and managerial aspects. This is required not only during the project

implementation, but also for creating necessary competence and skills for maintenance of assets

created. It also involves setting up and sustaining of vibrant and empowered local institutions

and self-help groups. Capacity building is important essentially for three reasons:

(1) If the watershed development approach is to be broadly effective and sustainable, it will be

necessary not only to organise but also to institutionalise, a participatory learning process

initiated through a flexible and iterative planning process.

(2) If projects are to stimulate, influence and "co-ordinate" processes of change, then institutions

will be needed as partners in this process which "embody" and articulate the various interests in

the project region, and which can take on tasks at the various levels of action.

(3) Self-responsibility on the part of resource users must be expressed by some kind of

"organisation". This, might be anything from a tree nursery run by its users, to a committee

addressing the complex issues of watershed development.

Capacity building is realised through participatory operational pedagogy, which is a step-by-step

interactive strategy for awareness generation, training and skill development in the various

aspects of watershed development programme. An attempt has been made in the present paper to

examine the impact of various capacity building measures undertaken while implementing an

Integrated Wasteland Development Project in 1997-98 in Aganpur-Bhagwasi villages of Patiala

district (Punjab).

Documents

Indian Journal of Extension... · Web viewC. Thanaban1, J. Vasanthakumar2 and S. Arulraj3 ABSTRACT The study was conducted among the farmers of Kasaragod District in Kerala state