Browsing by Author "Bhaskaran, S"

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Aspiration of educated unemployed youth for self-employment in agriculture and allied fields
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Pradeep Kumar, R; Bhaskaran, S
This study was designed to assess the Aspiration of educated unemployed youth for self-employment in agriculture and allied fields. Following accidental sampling procedure, 120 educated unemployed youth of the Attingal Agricultural sub division, Thiruvananthapuram District, were interviewed so as to assess their profile characteristics, extent of participation in agriculture and allied fields, aspiration, preference for self-employment in agriculture and allied fields, their training needs and to suggest a suitable training strategy for them. The data were statistically analysed and verified the hypotheses. Regarding their profile characteristics, majority of the youth were at the later adoloscent stage, having education from S.S.L.C to Pre-degree level, annual income of family was high, farm size was less than one hectare, had farming experience up to three years, had no social participation, having low extension agency contact, high exposure to mass media, more favourable attitude towards self-employment in agriculture and allied fields and their leisure-time activities were in relation to agriculture. Majority of the respondents had medium to high level of participation in agriculture and allied fields. Farm size, farming experience, extension agency contact. Mass media exposure and attitude towards self-employment in agriculture and allied fields had positive and significant relationship with extent of participation in agriculture and allied fields at one percent level. Majority of the respondents aspired for getting higher income in their profession followed by getting a Govt. job and developing farm. Majority of the respondents had preferred vegetable production and plant nursery management as their self-employment avenues. Extent of participation in agriculture and allied fields had significant association with preference for self - employment in agriculture and allied fields and aspiration of youth. Preference for self - employment in agriculture and allied fields had significant association with training need. There was significant difference between male and female in training need and aspiration. In the case of vegetable production, “selection and production of good quality seeds” was perceived as the most training need area. In the case of plant nursery management “control of pests and diseases” was perceived as the most training need area. Majority of the respondents had preferred peripatetic training with long term duration during summer months. Krishibhavan was the venue of the training and ‘demonstration’ was the most preferred methodology of training.
Factors influencing the development of agriculture among the 'kanikkar' tribe of Kerala
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Jaleel, M M; Bhaskaran, S
The study on the factors influencing the development of agiculture among the 'Kanikkar' tribe of Kerala was carried out with the following objectives: To study the characteristic profile of the tribal people. To identify the agricultural development indicators in tribal areas. To assess the extent of agricultural development in tribal areas. To find out the association between the agricultural development indicators and the selected socio-economic characteristics of 'Kanikkars'. To identify the factors influencing agricultural development in tribal areas. To identify the constraints affecting agricultural development in tribal areas. Kanikkars form the dominant tribe of South Kerala. A sample of 100 Kani-farmers was selected from the five Panchayats of Nedumangad Taluk of Thiruvananthapuram District using purposive, proportional and random 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 extent of agricultural development was assessed using the three agricultural development indicators selected for the purpose of the study/ which were the dependent variables namely knowledge about improved cultivation practices/ attitude towards farming/ and adoption of modern techniques of cultivation. The independent variables selected and utilised for the purpose of the study were age/education/ farming experience/ organisation participation/ risk orientation/ credit orientation/ cosmopoliteness/ extension participation/ extension contact/ mass media participation and land possession. The salient findings of the study are as follows: Nearly half of the respondents (49%) were young. Majority of them had high levels of education/ risk orientation/ credit orientation/ cosmopliteness and mass media participation/ while most of them had low lev^s of farming experience/ organisation participation, extension participation/ extension contact and land possession. Though majority of the Kanikkars hod o better knowledge on the scientific cultivation practices and a favourable attitude towards farming, the adoption level of ^ modern techniques of cultivation was low. Of the 11 variables studied, land possession was found to have a non-significant correlation with the three dependent variables. Credit orientation was found to have a significant correlation only with attitude. Of the variables which were having a significant correlation with the three dependent variables, age and farming experience were negatively correlated. The crucial variables through which indirect effects were channelled were: education, risk orientation and extension participation with regard to knowledge about improved cultivation practices, education, cosmopoliteness and mass media participation with respect to attitude towards farming and age, farming experience and extension contact with reference to adoption of modern techniques of cultivation.
Impact of training to social forestry personnel
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1992) Abdul Rahiman Kunju, O; Bhaskaran, C; Bhaskaran, S
Preference of credit institutions by farmers in the Trivandrum district
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1980) Bhaskaran, S; Tampi, A M
Progressiveness of farmers and their socio-economic characteristics in adopting high yielding variety of paddy
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1986) Bhaskaran, S; Thampi, A M
Out of the 125 farmers randomly selected for the study, 77 farmers were progressive and 48 farmers were less progressive with the adoption score ranging from 78.60 and above and less than 78.60 respectively, who were considered to be high and low adopters. Regarding their socio-economic characteristics, none was found to be related with their extent of adoption, which may be due to their progressiveness. However, farmers in this area were high risk bearers. They had average perception on the profit in cultivating high yielding variety of paddy.
Taxonomical analysis of agricultural modernity of farmers
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Sreevalsan J Menon; Bhaskaran, S
This study was undertaken based on the premise that any attempt to design a suitable extension strategy for modernizing agriculture requires a through understanding of the individual modernity of a farmer. The study area was the Perumbazhuthoor Panchayat and a sample of 120 farmers were randomy selected. The data were collected with the help of a pre-tested interview schedule and suitable statistical tests were applied. The main findings of the study were as follows: Among the four components viz., socio-psychological behaviour, adoption behaviour, communication behaviour and economic behaviour, adoption behaviour received maximum weight. Nine items (determinants) were selected out of 18 items proposed across the four components. The number of determinants were three under socio-psychological behaviour and two each under adoption, communication and economic behaviour. A composite agricultural modernity index was developed with the nine determinants viz., education, attitude towards scientific cultivation, knowledge, adoption of improved practices, innovativeness, information source utilisation, information dissemination behaviour, economic motivation and management orientation. Increase in the nine determinants viz., education, attitude towards scientific cultivation, knowledge, adoption of improved agricultural practices, innovativeness, information source utilization, information dissemination behaviour, economic motivation and management orientation enhanced CAMI. For every five unit increase in each of the determinants namely education, attitude towards scientific agriculture, knowledge, adoption of improved agricultural practices innovativeness, information source utilization, information dissemination behaviour, economic motivation and management orientation, there was one unit increase in CAMI. Nearly two third of the total respondents belonged to the medium modernity level. None of the categories of farmers came under very high modernity level. Two third of the farmers under Category I, II, III belonged to the medium modernity level, and nearly one fourth belonged to the high modernity level. None of the farmers under Category III came under the low modernity level. Almost half of the respondents had high levels of satisfaction and calculability but had low levels of social participation. Nearly two third of the farmers were less environmentally oriented and less fatalistic. Increase in the psychographics, viz., satisfaction, calculability, social participation and environmental orientation enhanced CAMI and a decrease in fatalism enhanced CAMI. For every three unit increase in satisfaction, there was two unit increase in CAMI ceterisparibus. For every one unit decrease in fatalism ceterisparibus, there would be one unit increase in CAMI. For every two units increase each in calculability and social participation ceterisparibus, there were three units increase and one unit increase in CAMI respectively. For every one unit increase in environmental orientation, there were two units increase in CAMI ceterisparibus. Increase in the factors viz., farm size, number of enterprises, credit behaviour, cosmopoliteness, training and risk orientation increased CAMI and a decrease in farming experience increased the CAMI. For every one unit increase each in cosmopoliteness, training and risk orientation there was one unit increase in CAMI ceterisparibus.
Technology assessment in the homegarden systems
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, 2004) Allan Thomas; Bhaskaran, S
Homegardens of Kerala presents a traditional agroforestry system designed to meet the food, fodder, fuel wood and timber requirement of the farm households and to generate supplementary income through the sale of surplus (Salam and Sreekumar, 1991). The homegarden system has its unique structural configuration and cropping patterns. The structural and functional diversity of this farming system makes it a unique one. It is the predominant type of agricultural production system in the state of Kerala (Shehana et al., 1994). This study was undertaken in the Southern Kerala comprising Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts covering a sample size of 208 homegardens using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique which, examines the structural configuration, cropping system, type of homegardens, extent of contribution of dominant homegarden components to the annual homegarden income, marketing channels of major products contributing to the homegarden annual income, extent of adoption of technology/scientific practices, its relationship with the socio-personal characteristic of individual farmers, identifying the technology need of the homegarden farmers, the delineation of dimension of technology suited for homegardens and constraints experienced by homegarden farmers. The structural configuration, cropping patterns and type of homegardens were identified using the measure of Shannon and Wiener diversity index (Sagar and Singh, 1999), species richness (Margalef, 1958) and measure of evenness (Pielou, 1969). The measure of dominance in terms of structural, numerical and economic dominance was developed for the study. Based on this, ten major dominance systems were observed in homegardens. Types of homegardens were delineated based on added components to the homegarden primary structure. Six types of specialised homegardens were thus identified based on the additions to primary structure. Two more types were identified based on socio-cultural components in homegardens. On the economic front of homegardens, the extent of contribution of major components towards annual homegarden income, it was found that livestock, rubber and tapioca in Thiruvananthapuram; rubber, livestock, pepper and coconut in Kollam; livestock, coconut, arecanut and pepper in Alappuzha and rubber, livestock and coconut in Pathanamthitta contributed to a greater extent in terms of annual homegarden income. Marketing channels for the different crops in four districts were also identified and classified. Technology assessment revealed that a limited quantity of technology reached the homegardens. Only two-third of the respondents fell under medium category of adoption of scientific practices/technology. Factors influencing the adoption of scientific practices were identified as education, annual homegarden income, extension contribution, market orientation and knowledge on technology in homegardens. Fifty-four indigenous practices (ITK practices) were observed to be followed by the homegarden farmers. Maximum technology need was reported for unexploited and under exploited horticultural tree crops which was on par with fruit tree crops (mango and jack) and followed by beverage crops. Processing, value addition and storage requirements were immediate technology needs of the homegarden farmers. Drainage and soil amendment technologies were reported to be important for Alappuzha homegarden farmers. On delineation of dimensions of technologies as perceived by homegarden farmers, agricultural officers and scientists, twenty-four dimensions were felt important by all categories of respondents. Additional nine dimensions perceived by the farmers were found to fall out of the ambit of extension and scientific community revealing that there is a major requirement either overlooked by the scientific/extension system, which is yet to be bridged. The foremost constraint identified was surplus produce but that was insufficient for marketing. To conclude, primarily a system with dominance has been developed which is again derived from diversity index, species richness, evenness and measure of dominance. Variability in homegardens exists within regions, within and between districts, but was not influenced by holding size. Above all constraints, technology requirement and delineated dimensions of technology was worked out based actual homegarden situation, thus providing a holistic approach to the entire homegarden scenario of the four districts under study.
To study the impact of institutional credit and its influence in the behaviour of farmers in adopting high yielding varieties of paddy cultivation
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Bhaskaran, S; Tampi, A M
This study is designed to study the Impact of Institutional Credit and its influence in the behaviour of farmers in adopting High Yielding Varieties of Paddy Cultivation. In this study, 125 farmers of the Anacode I.P.D. Unit, Trivandrum District, were interviewed so as to assess their extent of total adoption of the package of practices recommended by Kerala Agricultural University. The study also pertains to their credit need and utilization to cultivate the High Yielding Varieties of paddy. The data was tabulated and statistically analysed to reveal their adoption behaviour pertaining to the implementation of High Yielding Variety programme in the unit. 52 per cent of the progressive farmer and 48 per cent of the less progressive fanners were found to be high adopters of the package of practices. The average credit need of the farmers was found to be Rs. 1,095.87. less progressive high adopters were found to require the highest credit need. Almost all the farmers utilized their credit offered by institutions in full. In general no relationship was evidenced between age, extent of holding, education, risk perception, perception of cost of innovation, perception of profitability, social participation, occupation and caste and between extent of adoption and credit utilization.Intensive Paddy Development Unit secured first preference amongst others, viz . Co-operative Bank, Commercial Bank, land Mortgage Bank, Money lenders, neighbour and Relatives pertaining to timely lending, lower interest rate and easy lending procedure.
To study the impact of institutional credit and its influence in the behaviour of farmers in adopting high yielding varieties of paddy cultivation
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1978) Bhaskaran, S; Thampi, A M
This study is designed to study the Impact of Institutional Credit and its influence in the behaviour of farmers in adopting High Yielding Varieties of Paddy Cultivation. In this study, 125 farmers of the Anacode I. P. D. Unit, Trivandrum District, were interviewed so as to assess their extent of total adoption of the package of practices recommended by Kerala Agricultural University. The study also pertains to their credit need and utilization to cultivate the High Yielding Varieties of paddy. The data was tabulated and statistically analysed to reveal their adoption behaviour pertaining to the implementation of High Yielding Variety programme in the unit. 52 per cent of the progressive farmers were found to be high adopters of the package of practices. The average credit need of the farmers was found to be Rs.1, 095.87. Less progressive high adopters were found to require the highest credit need. Almost all the farmers utilized their credit offered by institutions in full. In general no relationship was evidenced between age, extent of holding, education, risk perception, perception of cost of innovation, perception of profitability, social participation, occupation and caste and between extent of adoption and credit utilization. Intensive Paddy Development Unit secured first preference amongst others, viz. Co-operative Bank, Commercial Bank, Land Mortage Bank, Moneylenders, Neighbour and Relatives pertaining to timely lending, lower interest rate and easy lending procedure.