Browsing by Author "Binoo P Bonny"

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Adoption of improved agricultural practices by commercial vegetable growers of Ollukkara block in Trichur district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Binoo P Bonny; Muraleedhara Prasad, R
With a view to study the existing scenario of commercial vegetable cultivation, the present investigation was undertaken in two selected Panchayats in Ollukkara Block in Thrissur. The study was conducted in relation to knowledge of farmers about improved vegetable cultivation practices, their .training need in commercial cultivation of vegetable ,and extent of adoption of recommended vegetable cultivation practices. The study was conducted on 100 randomly selected vegetable growers. The data were collected using pre-tested and well structured interview schedule. Correlation and step-wiser egression analyses were employed for analysis of data. The study revealed that majority of farmers were medium in their level of knowledge, training need and extent of adoption. Highest training need was perceived in plant protection. Higher adoption was also observed in plant protection measures. The results of step-wise regression analysis indicated information source utilisation as the most important variable explaining maximum variation in the level of knowledge and training need. In the case of adoption of improved practices, irrigation potential was the most decisive variable as revealed by the step wise regression analysis. The results of constraint analysis pointed out high cost of plant protection chemicals as the most felt constraint 'in the commercial cultivation of vegetables. The other important constraints as perceived by the farmers were inadequate market and storage and post harvest facilities.
Analysis of entrepreneurship development training of krishi vigyan kendras (KVKs) in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Gayathri, B R; Binoo P Bonny
Brand effectiveness of Malabar cements limited, Walayar Palakkad
(College of Co-operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2018) Athira K Dinesh; Binoo P Bonny
Climate risk management decision-making among farmers-a heuristic analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2024-12-09) Poonam Bandu Bhange; Binoo P Bonny
Climate change is posing a significant threat to agriculture, disrupting farming systems and jeopardizing food security in vulnerable regions. Understanding how farmers make decisions to manage climate risks is crucial for enhancing agricultural resilience and ensuring the sustainability of agri-food systems. In this context, the study aimed to explore climate risk management decision-making among rice farmers in Kerala and Maharashtra. The specific objectives followed in the study were exploring the behavioural and cognitive assumptions used by farmers in decisions related to climate change risks, profiling of the climate-risk decisions of the farmers, documentation and evaluation of the heuristics which serve as a basis for climate risk decisions of farmers and evolving a heuristics framework for categorizing risk adaptation strategies in agriculture. Following expost facto research design, the study purposively selected Alappuzha in Kerala and Gondia in Maharashtra due to their high vulnerability to climate-related risks related to flood and drought respectively. A total of 150 farmers (75 from each district) were randomly selected to represent diverse perspectives on climate risk strategies. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines and Meta-Analyses were used in the selection and analysis of research papers related to the decision-making processes of farmers during 1990-2023 downloaded from popular research databases viz. Google Scholar, Scopus and Research Rabbit. The search term used has been Topic = (climate change OR climate variability OR climate adaptation) AND (risk management OR adaptation strategies) AND (heuristics AND rational decisions) AND (farm* OR Agriculture). From the 1950 search results screened on the topic, 28 comprehensive results were delineated using specific exclusion and inclusion criteria. It comprised 14 heuristic decision-based papers and 14 rational decision-based papers related to climate risk decisions of small and marginal farmers. The analysis revealed farmers’ behavioural and cognitive assumptions in rational and heuristic decisions. The results found that many farmers utilized structured approaches, such as prioritizing high-value crops, balancing short term costs with long-term benefits, and employing scenario planning and economic forecasting to prepare for diverse climate outcomes. Heuristic approaches included availability, representativeness and affect shortcuts, which guided farmers’ intuitive, quick responses to climate risks. It was also observed that although socio demographic factors impact decision-making, there were no significant differences in influence on rational and heuristic decision-making. The overall pooled effect size was 0.008 with a 95 per cent confidence interval that ranged from -0.520 to 0.536. The small value of the overall pooled effect size indicates a balanced use of planning and intuition in managing climate challenges by small and marginal farmers. The results reflect the nuanced and adaptive nature of farmers’ decision-making, demonstrating a strategic mix of planning and intuitive judgment in the face of climate challenges. Building on the exploration of socio-demographic factors, the study employed DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) analysis to examine the psychological drivers influencing farmers’ climate risk management strategies. DEMATEL helped to identify and analyse causal relationships among complex factors, providing insight into how key psychological attributes influence farmers’ strategies. In Alappuzha, Kerala, market orientation (32.31) and risk preparedness (27.26) stood out as major causal factors shaping decision-making. Conversely, in Gondia, Maharashtra, scientific temperament (1.36), risk aversion (0.991), risk orientation (0.230), and innovation proneness (0.019) emerged as the key drivers, reflecting a preference for scientifically informed and cautious approaches in the region. Overall, the results reinforce the need to focus on psychological factors to enhance farmers’ adaptive capacities in the face of climate challenges. Climate risks were assessed using a risk matrix based on likelihood and severity of perceived risks. In Alappuzha, environmental (24.16) and production risks (20.88) were the highest, followed by market (9.06), financial (6.53), and institutional risks (4.62). In Gondia also, environmental (21.80) and production risks (17.68) were high, but institutional risks (11.09) were medium, and market (5.19) and financial (4.12) risks were low. Alappuzha farmers’ better financial situation, insurance coverage, and access to institutional credit enable them to adopt more robust adaptive strategies, supported by community participation and infrastructure. Gondia farmers, with lower income, limited insurance, and reliance on informal credit, focus on medium-level institutional risks. These regional differences highlight the need for tailored interventions to address specific resilience needs and risk perceptions in each area. Documentation of heuristics followed by farmers found imitation and availability shortcuts to play a crucial role in farmers’ climate risk management decisions. In Alappuzha, 56 per cent of farmers were found to be high imitators, adopting successful practices from peers and showing a proactive approach to climate risks. Also, 57.33 per cent of the farmers have a high threshold of concern for climate challenges. In Gondia, with more resource constraints, only 25.33 per cent have a high threshold of concern, while 46.66 per cent have a low threshold. This highlights how heuristics shape adaptive strategies differently across regions, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions to improve decision-making effectiveness and resilience among farmers facing diverse climate risks. The study analyzed the interplay between generic and specific capacities of strategies followed by farmers in agricultural risk management. In Alappuzha, farmers navigate the safe development paradox by employing flood management strategies and cultivating salt-tolerant varieties, which provide immediate relief but may create long-term sustainability challenges. Conversely, farmers in Gondia utilize soil and water conservation techniques and drought-resistant crops, reflecting a high generic capacity but lower specific capacity in their risk management approaches. Both regions face a poverty trap due to financial insecurity, with Alappuzha farmers using small loans and Gondia farmers relying on informal credit, increasing their vulnerability to climate shocks. Thus, it could be concluded that the farmers’ climate risk decisions are driven by heuristics like imitation and experience-based shortcuts, not just rational analysis. In Alappuzha, market orientation and risk preparedness guide decisions, while Gondia farmers relied more on scientific temperament and risk aversion, showing region specific heuristic responses. Environmental risks like floods and droughts lead farmers to use shortcuts like availability, making their strategies reactive, especially with lower concern thresholds. Therefore, improving institutional support and access to climate-smart technologies is recommended to help farmers go beyond heuristics and build long-term resilience.
Constraints in commercial production of vegetables
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Binoo P Bonny; Prasad, R M
Customer perception of dheedhi shampoo in Ernakulam district
(College of co-operation, banking and management, Vellanikkara, 2016) Anchana Thulasidas; Binoo P Bonny
Documentation and validation of biotic and abiotic Indicators used by farmers for weather prediction in Wayand district, Kerala
(Academy of Climate Change Education and Research, Vellanikkara, 2018) Anju, R; Binoo P Bonny
Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) is an integral part of the culture and history of a local community. It is evolved through many years of regular experimentation on the day to day life and resources available in the community. Biotic and abiotic indicators used by farmers for weather prediction are the parts of the ITK. Twenty abiotic indicators and thirty-five biotic indicators were documented in this study. The documented indicators were validated through farmer participatory process using Use Validity Score (UVS) and through published research findings. Based on UVS, four abiotic and eight biotic indicators could be grouped under high UVS category (>2.80 and > 2.56 respectively). The abiotic indicators with high UVS were mostly based on general observations of common natural features. As the difficulty of observation increased in terms of requirement of specific details, the popularity of indicators showed a decreasing trend towards medium to low levels. Abiotic indicators with high UVS in the order of ranks were clear blue sky related to no rainfall (3.33 UVS) followed by thunder and lightning with UVS 3.15 and dark rolling clouds along with cool breeze (2.94), both related to imminent rainfall. Among biotic indicators, all the three top ranked indicators were used for the prediction of rains and were associated with swarming of winged termites in the evening, frogs croaking near swampy areas in groups and grey wagtail flying down to the earth in groups with UVS 3.03, 3.00 and 2.92 respectively. Thematic content analysis based on published theories and related research validated eight abiotic and four biotic indicators scientifically. Most important inference from the study was that, people still relied on ITKs for weather prediction and were depended on simple observations related to common natural features. Moreover, the farmers’ access to formal meteorological forecasts was limited to mass media sources. Customized crop-based weather forecast that promotes integrated use of popular ITKs, can improve the efficiency and reliability of the weather forecast among farmers.
Effectiveness of marketing mix in raidco family curry powder
(College of co-operation, banking and management, Vellanikkara, 2016) Athira, T K; Binoo P Bonny
Employee welfare measures in metal industries ltd Shornur
(College of Co-operation, Banking & Management, Vellanikkara, 2020-07-30) Anupama, A; Binoo P Bonny
Employees perception of total quality management at Kerala Feeds Limited, Kallettumkara Thrissur
(College of Co-operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2018) Anjana, T T; Binoo P Bonny
Factors of agro-ecosystem sustainability - A value perspective of farmers
(Kerala Agricultural University, 2000) Binoo P Bonny; Vijayaragavan, K
Sustainable agriculture has been accepted as a promising alternative to the high input agriculture. However, there has been no consensus as to what constituted sustainable agriculture. It encompassed everything from high economic returns to environmental conservation. Therefore, the study attempted to delineate the factors of agro-ecosystem sustainability based on the value perspective of farmers. The major factors evolved were production practices followed, community resource management and cost of cultivation
Fallow land cultivation in Kerala-a multidimensional analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2025-02-11) Rose Mathews.; Binoo P Bonny
Land use pattern in Kerala has always been dynamic. The choice of crops and cropping pattern also changed over years. Despite increasing population pressure and growing demand for food grains in the state, the net cultivated area is declining over the years and area under fallow is expanding. There has been concerted effort in the state for reviving the agriculture sector through the utilization of cultivable fallow lands. It was in this backdrop the study entitled ‘Fallow land cultivation in Kerala – A multidimensional analysis’ was formulated to evaluate the land use changes in the state. An ex-post facto research design was followed in the study with the specific objectives of mapping the spatial and temporal dynamics of agricultural land use pattern in Kerala; delineation of the perceived socio economic and agro -ecological determinants of agricultural land fallowing; documentation of major strategies to promote fallow land farming in the state; development of an index to measure the performance effectiveness of fallow land development programmes under selected AEZs and evolving policy recommendations for the implementation of effective agricultural fallow land management system. Out of the five AEZs of Kerala, two AEZs viz. midland laterites and high hills were purposively sampled based on the criteria of having the maximum area and high agricultural activities. Kasargod, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram districts were purposively selected from the north, central and south Kerala respectively based on implementation of fallow land schemes. A total of eighteen panchayats coming under the two AEZs in these districts were selected randomly for the study. A total of 180 farmers who were the beneficiaries of fallow land development schemes and 180 control farmers who owned fallow land were covered in the study making the total sample size of 360. The spatial and temporal dynamics of Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes in the state was assessed based on multispectral data from LANDSAT images taken over the years 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 using ArcGIS software. The area under built up land recorded consistent increase in all the three districts over the years with a total change of 51.19 sq. km. in the state for the period of thirty years between 1991-2021. The highest increase has been recorded in the capital district of Thiruvanathapuram (30.55 sq. km) and the minimum in the northern district of Kasargod (1.10 sq. km). The results highlighted a concerning trend of decreasing cropland area in Kerala between 1991 and 2021. The overall trend showed a total decrease of 24.06 sq. km in cropland area during the period. Trees and plantations recorded an overall decrease of 12.53. Though a decreasing trend was evident from Thrissur (-9.43 sq. km) and Thiruvanathapuram (-27.96 sq. km), the trend was positive for Kasargod district (24.86 sq. km). Despite concerted policy efforts to optimize land use, fallow land in Kerala has witnessed an overall surge over the study period. The results revealed stark regional disparities with Kasargod district recording a substantial decrease in fallow land (-7.41 sq. km) and the more urbanized districts of Thrissur (8.13 sq. km) and Thiruvananthapuram (0.67 sq. km) showing significant increase. Notably, there has been no change in forest cover between 1991 and 2021 across all the selected districts of the state. Land cover under scrub lands recorded an overall decrease of 17.77 sq. km. The results also indicated a noticeable increase in quarries across Kerala over the past three decades with a surge of 0.83 sq. km. The determinants of agricultural land fallowing were delineated through factor analysis. The factors of land fallowing identified were perspectives on fallowing (4.612), socio economic factors (2.362), land use experience (1.903), risk contingencies and orientation (1.306), personal factors (1.155) and economic and agro ecological factors1.041). The perspectives included perception on causes of fallowing (0.414) and perception on consequences of land fallowing (0.401). Socio -economic attributes identified were family size (-0.446), subsidiary enterprises (-0.430), land value (0.425), wage rate (0.414) and social participation (-0.377). Land use experience factors were farming experience (0.392), preceding crop cultivated (-0.377), and farming alienation (0.304). Risk contingencies identified were (wild animal attack (0.487), risk orientation (-0.393) and distance of crop land from road (-0.378). Personal traits included age (0.436) and personal reasons attributed to fallowing (0.370). Economic and agro-ecological features identified were annual income (-0.408), incidence of extreme weather events (0.452), and land fragmentation (0.305). The identified determinants were also classified into cause and-effect factors using DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) technique. The perspectives on fallowing (1.274) and socio-economic attributes (0.563) were identified as the cause factors and land use experience (-0.007), risk contingencies (-0.323), personal traits (-0.665) and economic and agro-ecological features (-0.843) were identified as the effect factors. The major policy interventions to promote fallow land cultivation in Kerala (2011- 2024) was documented through content analysis using Nvivo software. Seven schemes in Kerala with fallow land development components were selected. The selected schemes were Haritha Keralam-Sujalam Suphalam, fallow less village programme of Kudumbasree mission, Subhiksha Keralam, rice development scheme, vegetable development scheme, pulses and tuber development scheme and NAWO DHAN (New Agriculture Wealth Opportunities - Driving Horticulture and Agribusiness Networking). The analysis showed that the schemes have evolved from focusing solely on private fallow land to include government-owned fallow land, indicating a broader approach to land utilization. While collective farming was prevalent in the early years, the trend has shifted towards precision farming by individual farmers, farmer groups and start-ups suggesting a more personalized and technology-driven approach. The schemes have expanded from focusing primarily on paddy fallow land to include various crop fallows, demonstrating a more diverse and inclusive approach. Fallow land development schemes in Kerala have evolved to become more inclusive, technology-driven, and focused on sustainable agriculture. Policy Performance Index was developed on social, economic and environmental dimensions of the policies. Performance index across three districts shows that Thiruvananthapuram has the highest performance on fallow land schemes (0.591) followed by Kasaragod (0.527) and Thrissur (0.511).The major recommendations for effective fallow management in the state has been to utilize remote sensing technologies to identify fallow lands and to detect land conversions, develop legal framework for leasing out fallow land to farmers, develop fallow land banks for under local self-government for community leasing, customised panchayat level participatory land use planning tailored to specific regional needs.
Farming among the Attappady tribes of Kerala: a livelihood analysis
(Department of Agriculture Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Sachana, P C; Binoo P Bonny
Ginger direct procurement programme of synthite industries limited: A study on direct sourcing
(College of co-operation, banking and management, Vellanikkara, 2016) Amalraj, K R; Binoo P Bonny
Performance analysis of agribusiness incubators (ABIs) in entrepreneurship development
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Ashwini, T; Binoo P Bonny
Performance analysis of kamco garden tiller among its users in Kerala
(College of Co-operation Banking and Management, Vellanikkara, 2017) Arya, S B; Binoo P Bonny
Performance analysis of organic pepper cultivation in Idukki district
(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2016) Sreejith, R; Binoo P Bonny
Black pepper is the most important spice crop of India with geo-political significance. In export trade also organic pepper has high significance especially to complete with leading global pepper producers with high productivity. Idukki district in Kerala is a traditional pepper tract where a large portion of the farmers followed organic cultivation by default. It was in this backdrop and also with the gaining prominence of organic policy in the state Idukki district was purposively selected for the study to evaluate the different parameters of organic pepper cultivation. The study was conducted in Nedumkandam and Azhutha blocks where maximum area under organic pepper was reported and also had the presence of prominent extension agencies in organic farming. The total sample size was 130 consisting of 100 randomly selected organic peppers from these blocks and 30 extension officials selected from the various extension agencies proportionate to the number of field staff. Based on the criteria of certification organic pepper farmers were classified into two groups viz. Certified Organic Farmer (COF) and Non-certified Organic Farmer (NcOF). It was found that 45 per cent of the farmers had valid organic certification from an accredited agency and 55 per cent were NcOF who followed good will of peer certification. Peermade Development Society (PDS) and Eco- Development Society (EDS) were the two NGOs that supported organic certification process of the farmers. The comparison of COF and NcOF on profile characteristics showed that COF were younger with a mean of 47 years while NcOF had average age of 59 years. Share of pepper on total income was 60 per cent for COF while it was 43 per cent for NcOF. Adoption Index (AI) measured on five selected dimensions of organic pepper cultivation (Guthman, 2000) showed organic weed management as the most adopted practice with AI values 68 per cent for COF and 74 per cent for NcOF followed by organic pest management with AI at 66.29 and 63.23 respectively. However the extent of adoption of total organic inputs recorded the least AI ii values for COF (45.74) and NcOF (44.54). This is attributed to the large number of natural organic farmers who followed zero to minimum input use. Regression analysis showed that age, education and certification status were the significant factors influencing adoption. Relative yield ratio between organic and conventional pepper farmers revealed that organic yield was 82 per cent of the conventional yield and COF had a higher yield ratio of .90 compared to .73 of NcOF. Two types of marketing channels each were delineated for COF and NcOF. Produce of COFs were collected directly from the field by procurement agents posted by PDS and EDS. In channel I of PDS, dry pepper collected from COF was supplied to the processing unit of PDS and marketed by them. In channel II procurement agent was posted through open tenders by EDS. They procured green pepper directly and traded in International markets. The profit percentage of dry pepper was found to be 109 per cent for COF while it was 92 per cent for NcOF. Comparison of value addition in the certified organic pepper channel showed 116 per cent increase while in non-certified organic pepper channel the increase was only 10.93 per cent. Analysis of institutional support to organic pepper cultivation revealed that PDS as the most important institution supporting organic pepper production. Krishibvan and Indian Cardamom Research Institute received moderate ranks but they were not considered as providing adequate support to organic pepper production. Constraints experienced by both farmers and extension officers were studied and it was found out that extension officers considered that inadequate supply of quality inputs as the most important constraint. Most of the farmers reported unavailability of exclusive market for organic produce as the most important constraint. Low productivity and unawareness of organic standards was also considered as important constraints. Thus certification and assured market were inferred as the critical factors of organic pepper cultivation in the district.
Technological capability analysis of coconut based enterprises
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture ,Vellanikkara, 2021) Shilpa, P; Binoo P Bonny
Coconut based enterprises holds great significance in the state as coconut is the prime homestead crop of Kerala. These enterprises are proven to generate higher economic returns for the coconut sector. Technological capability (TC) plays key role in the performance of the hundreds of enterprises involved in manufacturing and marketing of various coconut products. Technological capability (TC) encompasses all activities, physical systems, skills and knowledge bases, managerial systems, and entrepreneurial values that generate unique benefit for an enterprise. Thus, it formed a determining factor in the efficiency and effectiveness of enterprises. Therefore, an understanding of TC of coconut-based enterprises holds great importance for state’seconomy in terms of entrepreneurship development. It was in this rationale, the present study was undertaken to document and characterize coconut enterprises based on the major products and services, to map the technology use pattern of these enterprises, to evaluate the technological capabilities of the selected enterprises and to evolve a conceptual model for sustainable entrepreneurship development. The results of the studycan be used to decode the critical factors that form the basis the technological capability of coconut enterprises that can effectively redefine the coconut-based entrepreneurship in the state. The three districts from the state of Kerala viz. Thrissur, Kozhikode and Ernakulam which had the largest number of registered coconut processing enterprises were selected as the study area. The details of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) collected from the respective District Industries Centres (DICs) were used for the purposive selection of these districts. The enterprises under farmer collectives using the technological support from Coconut Development Board (CDB)functioning in these districts were also included under the study. The total sample size ofenterprises was fixed as 45 following the ratio of 20:10:15 in proportion to the number of registered coconut enterprises in the selected districts of Thrissur, Ernakulam and Kozhikode respectively. An additional eight social enterprises run by farmer collectives in theseselected districts were also selected. A total of 100 skilled workers involved in technology use in these enterprises were also selected as respondents in the study. Thus, the total sample size of the study was 153 comprising of the 45 MSME coconut entrepreneurs, 08 FPO CEOs and 100 skilled workers. The results delineated three major products from coconut enterprises based on productionproportion viz. coconut oil (81.14%), virgin coconut oil (VCO) (9.43%) and coconut paste (9.43%). Coconut oil was identified to have a production proportion of 80 per cent in micro enterprises while in small enterprises and in medium and social enterprises it recorded 90 and 76.93 per cent respectively. The technology use pattern of coconut enterprises was mapped based on the skill sets of the workforce related to communication skills, technical skills, problem solving skills, interpersonal skills and decision-making skills. The correspondence analysis result showed that problem solving skills was associated with both micro and small enterprises while decision making skills and technical skills were associated with small enterprises. The skill which assumedimportance in medium and social enterprises was interpersonal skill. The analysis of perceived skill competence of workforce across the enterprises revealed that, in micro enterprises workers expressed highest competence in problem solving while in small enterprises it was for technical skills while in the case of medium and social enterprises the workers perceived their expertise in decision making. The perceived skill gap analysis revealed that in micro enterprises the highest gap (with a score of 34.17) was in decision making and in small, medium and social enterprises were lacking more in problem solving skills with scores 30.96 and 24.22 respectively. Kruskal- Wallis test was performed to compare the perceived skill competence of workforce in different category of enterprises and it showed that there was a significant difference in the perceived skill competence of work force among the different categories of coconut enterprises. The technological capability of enterprises was estimated using technology capability index (TCI) with resources, level of technology use, market competency and coordination and accessibility as four macro indexes. The weightage for each macroindex was calculated from the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The average TCI score for the entire coconut-based enterprises were found to be 0.34 and the enterprise categories were giving importance for level of technology use (with a score of 0.66) in developing their technological capability followed by resources (0.5). There was a significant positive correlation between technological capability and educational status, skill competence of workforce at 5 per cent level of significance and a significant positive correlation between the level of extension contact, mass media contact, social participation, managerial competency, level of technology use, and production capacity at 10 per cent level of significance. Scaling readiness of technologies were measured as the product of innovation use and innovation readiness in the levels of management, technology use and marketing. The micro enterprises got highest score of scaling readiness which in turn indicates more interventions can be made with less investment in the existing technological ecosystem of these enterprises. The study suggested a frame work combining selected dimensions to elucidate sustainable entrepreneurship development in coconut enterprises. Sustainable entrepreneurship development in coconut enterprises has been defined as the function of technological capability of enterprises, skill competence of workforce, scale readiness of innovations and forward and backward linkages of the enterprise. The technology capability dimensions identified were resources, level of technology use, market competency and coordination and accessibility. The skill competence determined the technology use pattern in coconut enterprises from the significant relation with TC. Innovation was another important attribute of technology capability which was analyzed in termsof its scaling readiness. Scaling readiness defined the status of an enterprise to upgrade with technological innovations at different levels. The forward and backward linkages in enterprise such as value and supply chain channels were also having paramount importance in the determining the sustainable enterprise performance.
Training needs of commercial vegetable growers
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Binoo P Bonny; Prasad, R M
Utilization of soil health card by the farmers of Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2019) Reshmi, S; Binoo P Bonny
Injudicious and hazardous use of chemical fertilizer in agriculture is a matter of concern in recent times. In order to avoid deterioration of soil in the long run and visualizing the importance of balanced nutrition in crop production, Government of India launched the soil health (SHC) programme in 2015. The Soil Health Card provides appropriate guidance to the farmers for the efficient use of fertilizer for crops based on soil health analysis. The SHC is a printed document, which contains data on soil test based chemical analysis to describe soil health in terms of its nutrient availability and its physical and chemical properties. The study was carried out in Thrissur district as it had the maximum number of SHC scheme beneficiaries in the State. A total of 180 respondents from the district formed the sample which constituted 150 farmers and 30 scheme implementing officers. Status of SHC use among farmers revealed the presence of four categories of SHC users viz. participant SHC scheme users, participant SHC scheme non-users, paid SHC users and non-participant non-users. Analysis of the socio-economic variables between the different categories of users and non-users of farmers revealed that the variables, farming experience, exposure to training and irrigation facility showed significant difference among the respondents at 0.05 and 0.01 levels with p values 0.040, 0.016 and 0.001 respectively. With regard to awareness on SHC, Paid SHC users had an overall awareness score of 461.52. On all selected awareness domains they had uniformly high scores except on general information on SHC scheme wherein the score was only 78.00 per cent. Regarding the spread of SHC in Thrisssur district, Chavakkad was the only block that covered more than 50 per cent of farmers. Extent of adoption measured using adoption index, and the results indicated that 50 per cent of the participant SHC scheme users were of medium adoption category, followed by 34 per cent of low adopters and only 16 per cent belonged to the high adoption category. However, in XXXII the case of paid soil test users, it could be inferred that majority of the farmers (60 per cent), came under high adoption category, followed by 33 per cent under medium level of adoption and only 7 per cent belonged to low adoption category. Correlation between the independent variables and adoption of SHC recommendations by participant SHC scheme users and paid SHC users revealed that, irrigation facility and farming experience showed positively significant correlation with adoption at 0.05 level for both the categories. It is also important to find that when scientific orientation recorded positive and significant relation with adoption at 0.01 level for both participant SHC scheme users and paid SHC users, training and education showed significant relation only for the paid SHC users at 0.01 and 0.05 levels of significance respectively. When 90 per cent of the paid SHC users showed favourable perception regarding the reliability of SHCs, only 40 per cent of the participant SHC scheme users displayed a favourable utility perception on the domain. With regard to the quantity of fertilizers (Urea, SSP, MOP) applied, and micronutrient use, there is significant difference between users and non-users with p values 0.44 and 0.017 respectively. Results of binary logistic regression of SHC users and non-users with socioeconomic variables and yield taken as independent variables revealed that a change in the level of education, farming experience, irrigation or yield could bring a corresponding chance of 64, 30, 31 and 67 per cent respectively for a non-user to become a user of SHC results. Majority of farmers (68 per cent) stated that the time gap between soil collection and distribution of cards was too long. The major constraint stated by officers was unavailability of field staffs for taking samples (68.23 per cent). Though the services were free under the scheme, farmers face a lot of impediments in getting full benefits of the scheme. It is suggested that the policy makers should conduct suitable awareness programs and trainings to promote the usage of soil health cards. Follow-up by extension agency, timely reporting of soil test results to farmers is crucial in whole programme. Effective utilization of the scheme also needs the presence of field level experts to clear doubts of farmers at the time of their need in a scientific way.