Browsing by Author "Balakrishna Pillai, G"

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Adoption behaviour of tribal farmers towards improved agricultural practices
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1985) Viju, A; Balakrishna Pillai, G
Awareness and training needs of officers of the department of agriculture in watershed planning
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Sheela, L; Balakrishna Pillai, G
A study was undertaken to assess the awareness and training needs of officers of the department of Agriculture in watershed planning. The study was conducted in five districts of Kerala. The respondents were the Junior Soil Conservation Officers (JSCOs) Junior Soil Survey Officers (JSSOs) of the Soil Conservation Unit and Agricultural Officers (AOs) of the department of agriculture. Total sample size was 100 of which 21 were JSCOs, 19 were JSSOs and 60 were AOs. A knowledge test and aptitude scale were constructed for the study. Data were collected with the help of a well constructed interview schedule which was pretested. The data thus collected were subjected to correlation, path analysis, multiple regression etc. to derive the results. The study revealed that more than 47 per cent of the JSCOs possessed high level of awareness in watershed planning. Majority of the respondents among the JSSOs and AOs possessed only low level of awareness in watershed planning. Majority of the JSCOs had high level of knowledge in watershed planning. Only 21 per cent of the JSSOs had high level of knowledge in watershed planning. Same was the case with AOs. Only 33 percent of AOs possessed high level of knowledge in watershed planning. Only 33 per cent of the JSCOs were having a high attitude score regarding watershed planning. About 22 percent of the JSSOs were in the high attitude group and the same numbers of respondents were in the low attitude group. Majority of the AOs were having low attitude score regarding watershed planning. Educational status, information seeking behaviour, training undergone and self confidence were positively and significantly related to the knowledge of the officials in watershed planning. Age and experience was found to have negative and significant relationship with the knowledge of the JSCOs only. Educational status, information seeking behaviour, training undergone and self confidence were found to have positive and significant relationship with the attitude of the officers towards watershed planning. Age was found to have negative and significant relationship with the attitude of the JSCOs and JSSOs towards watershed planning. Experience was found to have negative and significant relationship with the attitude of the JSCOs towards watershed planning. Self confidence had the highest direct effect on knowledge of the JSCOs in watershed planning and age had the highest indirect effect. Information seeking behaviour had the highest direct effect on knowledge of the JSSOs and training undergone had the highest indirect effect. Self confidence had the highest direct effect on knowledge of the AOs in watershed planning and information seeking behaviour had the highest indirect effect. Information seeking behaviour had the highest direct effect on the attitude of the JSCOs towards watershed planning. Highest indirect effect was that of age. Self confidence had the highest direct effect on the attitude of the JSSOs towards watershed planning and educational status had the highest indirect effect. Self confidence had the highest direct effect and information seeking behaviour had the highest indirect effect on the attitude of the AOs towards watershed planning. Variables experience, information seeking behaviour and job satisfaction had significant contribution to the knowledge of the JSCOs in watershed planning. Independently, only information seeking behaviour had significant contribution towards knowledge of JSSOs. Training undergone and self confidence had significant contribution to the knowledge of the AOs in watershed planning. None of the independent variables had significant contribution to the attitude of the JSCOs and JSSOs towards watershed planning. Only self confidence had significant contribution to the attitude of AOs towards watershed planning. Majority of the JSCOs perceived training need in watershed planning. A considerable number of JSSOs also perceived high training needs in watershed planning. But majority of the AOs perceived only a low training need in watershed planning. No significant difference in knowledge, attitude and training needs was observed between the JSCOs, but for awareness there was significant difference between these two groups. There was significant difference in awareness, knowledge attitude and training needs between the JSSOs and AOs and also between the JSCOs and AOs. Non-availability of demonstration plots for seeing the benefits of watershed management was the most important constraint in watershed planning as perceived by the JSCOs. But according to the JSSOs lack of awareness of the policy makers on the advantages of watershed planning and management was the most important constraint, whereas the AOs perceived inadequate training of the officers in watershed planning and management as the most important constraint.
Communication behaviour of tribal farmers - a system analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1986) Subramoniam, K; Balakrishna Pillai, G
The research was conducted in Nedumangad taluk of Trivandrum District to study the communication behaviour of tribal farmers Data were collected from 110 'Kanikkars. from six villages of the taluk based on the method of probability proportionate to size. Farmers were interviewed individually, using the schedule developed for the purpose. Group discussions and participant observations were also made use of for the investigation The study revealed the following; Majority of the tribal farmers had only low level of communication behaviour. The information input of tribal farmers was relatively high. They received information from mass media such as the radio and newspaper and personal localite sources -such as neighbours and relatives. Majority of the farmers communicated information to other farmers of the settlement while personal talk during home visit. Feed back to the mass media was nil. Feed back-to cosmopolite sources was relatively less, while that to personal localite sources was comparatively high. Highest feed back was about the information regarding the sanction of subsidies etc. ’Neighbours and relatives' were the most important sources of information to the tribal farmers followed by radio and newspaper. Tribal leader and Tribal Extension Worker were the next' sources in the order of preference. Age was found to be negatively correlated with communication behaviour. Education, . innovation proneness, attitude towards block extension agency, social participation, information seeking behaviour and cosmopoliteness were positively associated with communication behaviour, whereas fatalism had no correlation. Step wise regression analysis revealed that information seeking behaviour, attitude towards Block extension agency, education and social participation explained 83.00 per cent variation in communication behaviour, while all the independent variables together contributed only to 84.22 per cent of change in communication behaviour. Information seeking behaviour emerged as the most important variable in predicting the communication behaviour by contributing to 74.00 per cent of the variation
Differential profile of farmers along the technological gap in soil conservation practices of Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1986) Balakrishna Pillai, G; Subramonian, V S
Participatory group approach for sustainable development of agriculture in Kerala
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Surendran, G; Balakrishna Pillai, G
The study was aimed to analyse the participation efficiency and group efficiency of Government, Quasi-government and NGO sponsored farmers' groups of the State and to suggest a strategy for sustainable development of agriculture through participatory group approach. A sample of 250 farmers was selected at random from 50 farmers' groups from the five agro-climatic regions of the State . . Besides, one hundred extension personnel were selected as respondents of the study. The components and external factors of participation efficiency and group efficiency formed the variables of the study. The data were gathered by the use of interview schedule and questionnaire from farmers and extension personnel respectively. Statistical techniques such as Correlation, ANOVA, Principal components analysis and Step-wise multiple regression analysis were used to analyse the data. All the components of participation efficiency exhibited significant association with Participation Efficiency Index Value. Majority of the respondents fell in medium level of participation efficiency. Quasi-governmental groups and groups in Alappuzha district showed high level of participation efficiency. Communication behaviour, Sharing of responsibility and Competitive spirit were the components which influenced higher magnitude of variation in participation efficiency. The external factors such as Achievement motivation, Age, Cosmopoliteness, Risk orientation, Knowledge in farming, Innovation proneness, Economic motivation and Entrepreneurial behaviour explained 72 per cent variation in participation efficiency. All the components of group efficiency showed significant association with Group Efficiency Index Value. Majority of the respondents were in medium level of group efficiency. Group efficiency was high in Quasi-governmental groups and groups in Kozhikode district. The components such as Productivity, Equity, Employment generation, Group cohesion and Sustained profit influenced higher magnitude of variation in group efficiency. The external factors such as Group action plan, Non-antagonistic goals, Incentives, Group size, Diversification of group activities and Effective supply of inputs explained 62 per cent of variation in group efficiency. Lack of co-ordination of different agencies, predominance of part-time farmers and inefficient monitoring mechanism were some of the constraints perceived as important. Extension personnel perceived that significant reduction in cost of cultivation is possible through group approach. Based on the results of the study, a strategy is suggested for the sustainable development of agriculture through participatory group approach.
Study on adoption of soil conservation measures by farmers in scheme areas of Trivandrum District
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Balakrishna Pillai, G; Nair, G T
The magnitude of the problem of soil erosion is so high in Kerala mainly due to the undulating topography and high intensity of rainfall. More than 10 lakhs hectares of undulating land have to be protected from the hazards of erosion by effective soil conservation measures . The results of studies conducted on the soil loss by the soil conservation station. Konni has shown that the soil loss where slope was 30 per cent was 241.56 tonnes per acre per year. Attempts are made to control the serious loss of top soil by the Department of Agriculture (Soil Coservation Unit) by implementing integrated soil conservation schemes. But the progress of coverage was poor. Even in scheme areas, many farmers are non -adopters of the required soil conservation works. Many farmers have not taken up the required Agronomy and Agrostology works eventhough theycompleted the contour bunding works. A detailed study was essential to understand all those aspects of adoption . This study was an effort in that direction.
Study on the reasons for the non-adoption of soil conservation measures
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Balakrishna Pillai, G; Nayar, G T
Techno-socio-economic consequences of national watershed development project for rainfed areas in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Lakshmi, S; Balakrishna Pillai, G
The study entitled "Techno-socio-economic consequences of NWDPRA in Thiruvananthapuram district" was undertaken tc assess the techno-socio-economic consequences on beneficiaries due to the implementation of NWDPRA. An attempt was also made to identify the constraints perceived by the farmers and extension agents. The study was conducted in the four watersheds, one from each t a l u k of Thiruvananthapuram district which was selected randomly. A sample of hundred beneficiaries was selected according to the probability proportional to size of the beneficiaries in the selected watershed areas. Data were collected through well structured and pretested i n t e r v i e v schedule. The study revealed the following: Majority of the farmers had small land holdings. Most of the farmers received only medium level of technical guidance. The percept ions of the major i t y of respondents about the availability of low cost watershed technologies, observability of the innovation and complexity of the innovation were medium. About three-fourths of the farmers had a favourable attitude towards watershed development programmes. Most of the farmers had medium level of extension participation, mass media exposure and economic motivation. More than half of the respondents did not attend any training programme related to watershed management. More than half of the respondents had only medium I eve 1 0 f k now led g e i n wa t e r s he d p 1 ann i n g , i nn 0 vat i v e n e ss, indebtedness and orientation towards incentives. Majority of the farmers followed medium level of cropping intensity. The adoption of the watershed management practices by the farmers was only at medium level. Social status of the farmers was on average level. The perception of the farmers about the employment generated was low and the perception about the increase in resource use efficiency was medium. About half of the respondents were of the perception that the increase in income and productivity was low on account of NWDPRA. Farm size, availability of low cost watershed technologies, observabiiity of the innovation, attitude towards watershed development programmes, extension participation, mass media exposure, training participation, knowledge in w~tershed planning and cropping intensity had positive and significant association with adoption of watershed management practices. Complexity of innovation and indebtedness had negative association with adoption. Social status of farmers had positive association with farm size, technical guidarice, availability of low cost watershed technologies, observabi 1 i t y of innovat ion, at t i tude towards watershed development programmes, extension participation, training participation, knowledge in watershed planning, innovativeness and orientation towards incentives. Indebtedness had negative association with social status of farmers. Employment generation had positive and significant relationship with indebtedness and orientation towards incentives. Farm size, technical guidance, availability of low cost watershed technologies, observability of the innovation, attitude towards watershed development programmes, extension participation, training participation and knowledge in watershed planning had positive and significant relationship with increase in resource use efficiency. The variables farm size, availability of low cost watershed technologies, observability of the innovation, attitude towards watershed development programmes, extension participation, mass media exposure, economic motivation, knowledge in watershed planning, innovativeness and cropping intensity were found to have positive and significant relationship with increase in income. Indebtedness had a negative relationship with increase in income. Increase in productivity had a positive and significant relationship with farm size, availability of low cost watershed technologies, observability of innovation, at tit ude towards watershed deve lopment programmes, ex ens ion participation, mass media exposure, training p a r t i c i pa t i on , knowledge in watershed planning and cropping intensity. Indebtedness had a negative relationship with increase in productivity. ~ Stepwise regression analysis revealed that availa bility of low cost watershed technologies and farm size contributed to 76 per cent of variation in adoption of watershed management practices. The results of s t e pw i s e regression analysis revealed that the variables farm size, mass media exposure, orientation towards incentives, technical guidance, observability of innovation, innovativeness and attitude towards watershed development programmes contributed to 54 per cent of variation in social status of farmers. The important constraint perceived by the farmers was inadequacy of funds provided to land owners in NWDPRA and the important constraint perceived by the extension agent was inadequate co-ordination among the implementing agencies of NWDPRA. The results of Spearman's rank order correlation of constraints revealed that there was agreement between farmers and extension agents with respect to the constraints in NWDPRA.
Technological gap in integrated soil conservation practices of Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1986) Balakrishna Pillai, G; Subramonian, V S
The study revealed that the technological gap was high in agrostologic practices followed by the gap in agronomic practices. The composite technological gap in integrated soil conservation practices in the scheme areas was found to be 48.369 percent.
Training needs in agriculture of 'Irulas' of Attappady
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1988) Kanaga Sabapathi, K; Balakrishna Pillai, G
The study on the training needs in agriculture of 'Irulas* of Attappady was carried out with the following objectives: 1. To identify the training needs in Agriculture of irulas. 2. To determine the level of Knowledge of ’Irulas on the cultivation of Important crops. 3* To assess the type, duration, season, venue and frequency of the trainings required as perceived by the Irulas. 4. To find out the association between the training needs and the socio-psychological characters of Irulas. Irulas form the numerically dominant tribe of 'Attappady' valley of F&lghat district, in Kerala State, A sample of 100 Irula farmers was selected from the four villages of Attappady using random and proportional allocation techniques. Personal interviews were conducted with the help of a well structured and pre-tested interview schedule. The data so collected were analysed with the help of suitable statistical techniques. The salient findings of the study are as follows. Nearly half of the respondents (46 par cent) perceived only low level of training need. Twenty four per cent perceived a high need for training while 30 per cent fell in the medium group, who perceived a medium level of training need. Because of the high illiteracy and poor exposure to training programmes, they perceived low level of training need. tfith regard to the perception of training needs for the important crops, Ragi ranked first and it was followed by training needs in Jowar, Pulses, Maize, Chamai, Groundnut and Paddy respectively. With regard to the perception of training needs in respect to the major operations in general, plant protection was perceived as the area having most important training need. Other important areas of training needs in the descending order of preference were intercultural operations, manuring, seeds and sowing and land preparation.