Browsing by Author "Geethakutty, P S"

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Adoption behaviour of sericulturists a multivariate analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Susamma, P V; Geethakutty, P S
Entrepreneurial behaviour of agri-business operators in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Senthil Vinayagam, S; Geethakutty, P S
A study was conducted with the main objectives of developing index for measuring entrepreneurial behaviour and agri-business performance and identifying influence of behavioural and situational characteristics on entrepreneurial behaviour. The study was undertaken in Central NARP zone of Kerala, covering 240 agri-business operators. The agri-business operators were categorised into three groups viz., commercial farmers, on-farm and off-farm agri-business operators with 120, 60, 60 as sample size respectively. Entrepreneurial behaviour formed the dependent variable for the study. Agri-business performance was selected as criterion variable. Nineteen independent variables were selected in relation to the objectives based on review of literature and pilot study. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis and factor analysis were employed for data analysis and interpretation. Ten dimensions were identified and used to develop entrepreneurial behaviour index. Factor analysis revealed that innovation proneness, achievement motivation, risk orientation, economic motivation, management orientation and personal efficacy were the important dimensions to measure entrepreneurial behaviour which can be grouped into a single factor termed 'entrepreneurial behaviour efficiency' . Agri-business performance was measured usmg the indicators VIZ., capacity utilisation, hired labour, cost-benefit ratio, perceived profitability, labour relationship, extent of diversification and social contribution from enterprise. Majority of the respondents exhibited moderate to very high entrepreneurial behaviour, whereas they had high to very high agri-business performance. Comparison of the three categories of respondents revealed that there was no difference among them with respect to both entrepreneurial behaviour and agri-business performance. Age, age at entry, scientific orientation, vocational diversification, self confidence, self concept, orientation towards competition, rational orientation, self:' reliance and media utilisation emerged as most important variables in predicting the variation in entrepreneurial behaviour of agri-business operators. High rate of interest, seasonality of demand, high cost of raw material, scarcity of electric power, high labour cost, ineffective consultancy service provided by the government agencies were the major constraints perceived by agri-business operators in influencing the entrepreneurial behaviour. The study established the relationship between entrepreneurial behaviour and agri-business performance which brings out the need and importance for organising Entrepreneurship Development Programme for farmer entrepreneurs.
Fertiliser use behaviour of rice farmers of Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Geethakutty, P S; Menon, A G G
The study was conducted with the main objective of developing an index for measuring the fertilizer use behaviour of rice farmers. A total of 300 rice farmers were selected following multistage random sampling procedure, 60 from each District, so selected that each District represented one NARP Zone. Besides farmer respondents, 40 agricultural scientists, 40 agricultural extension personnel and 40 input dealers were also selected as other categories of respondents for the study. The Composite Fertiliser Use Behaviour Index (CFUBI) was developed by identifying six dimensions of fertilizer/ manure use for rice, (quantity, time of application, split application, type, method of application and related management practices). The weightages of the identified six dimensions were obtained through judges’ rating and also through the relevancy rating of the practices under the identified dimensions. The CFUBI derived by the formula method was compared with the index developed by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method. Based on relevancy rating and pilot study, 17 behavioural characteristics were selected as independent variables. The variables were quantified using standardized procedures. Mean and percentage analysis, Delinious Hodges Cumulative Root ‘f’ stratification, Critical difference, Coefficient of variation analysis of variance, kendall’s coefficient of concordance, Chi – square analysis, Correlation analysis, Multiple regression analysis and Principal Component Analysis were the statistical tools used for data analysis. The study revealed that more than 60 per cent of rice farmers were under ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ categories based on their CFUBI. The NARP Central Zone had highest percentage of farmers under ‘good’ category of CFUBI, while the Problem Zone had the highest percentage of farmers with regard to the use of nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic fertilizers. The High Range Zone had the highest percentage of farmers with respect to the use of organic manures. Based on the use of nitrogenous and phsphatic fertilizers, majority of the farmers were categorized under either ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ category, while with respect to the use of potassic fertilisers, it was found that farmers were almost similarly distributed under ‘good’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘poor’ and very poor’ categories. The Problem zone and Northern zone were found to be ‘very poor’ with respect to the use behaviour of organic manures and potassic fertilisers respectively. There was significant difference among the five NARP Zones in respect of the different dimensions of use of nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic fertilizers and organic manures. The use behaviour of potassic fertilisers had the highest factor loadings in explaining variability in the CFUBI of farmers followed by the use behaviour of nitrogenous fertilisers. Split application of nitrogenous fertilisers, quantity and time of application of phosphatic fertilisers, quantity and split application of potassic fertilisers and quantity of organic manures were found significant in predicting the AYI of farmers. The behavioural characteristics of farmers found to be significant in predicting the fertiliser use behaviour of rice farmers were main occupation, level of aspiration, rational decision making ability, attitude towards fertiliser use, information source utilisation and economic performance index. The important technological and situational factors contributing to fertiliser use hehaviour as perceived by the farmers, extension personnel, scientists and input dealers were irrigation facilities, perceived appearance of crop stand, drainage facilities, price of produce, availability of rain and availability of labour. Lack of knowledge about fertiliser use, lack of assured irrigation facilities, high cost of fertilizers, high rate of labour wages, increased incidence of pests and diseases, non availability of organic manures and improper drainage facilities were the major constraints in the composite fertilizer use behaviour of rice farmers in Kerala.
Fertilizer use behaviour of rice farmers
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1995) Geethakutty, P S; Menon, A G G
Fertilizer use behaviour of rice farmers was analysed through a study conducted in the five National Agricultural Research Project zones of Kerala. Majority of the farmers had satisfactory level in their composite fertilizer use behaviour. But wide variations and low use were noticed in the case of potassic fertilizer and also in the case of split application. Very few farmers were found adopting the specific recommended methods of nitrogenous fertilizer application.
Level of entrepreneurial success among women entrepreneurs in agribusiness
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2003) Sindhu S, Narayan; Geethakutty, P S
Entrepreneurship has been recognized as an essential ingredient of economic development. Very high literacy rate and lack of employment opportunities paved way for many unemployed youth including women to take up small-scale business units. In this study entrepreneurial success index (ESI) was developed to measure the level of success of women in agribusiness and the respondents were classified into four groups of very high success, high success, medium success and low success.
Participation of farm family women in sericulture in the Palakkad district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Sajan Andrews, K; Geethakutty, P S
A Research study entitled “Participation of Farm Family Woman in Sericulture in the Palakkad District” was conducted to identify the extent of participation of farm family woman in decision making and in the operations in sericulture in relation to their personal, socio-cultural and techno-economic factors and the constraints and consequences there of. The study area comprised of the four agricultural subdivisions of the Palakad district namely, Alathoor, Mannarkad, shornur and Chittoor. A stratified random sample of 150 sericulture units was selected for the study. Data were collected from the woman heads of sericulture units using a pre-tested structured interview schedule. Appropriate statistical techniques like correlation analysis, regression analysis and path analysis were done to analyse the data. The extent of participation of farm family women in sericultural operations (EPSO) was measured in terms of two dimensions namely actual hours of work and nature of participation in each of the operations. Nineteen operations in sericulture (seven under mulberry cultivation and twelve under silkworm rearing) were identified and included in the study. The extent of participation of farm family women in decision making in sericultural operations (EPDS) was measured in terms of two dimensions, nature of participation and frequency of participation. Thirty important areas of decision making in sericulture were identified and measured in the study. The study revealed that only a small percentage of the farm woman had put forth ‘high’ and ‘medium’ participation in sericultural operations while, a majority of them were of ‘low’ and ‘very low’ participation in various activities of sericulture enterprise. Operation wise analysis revealed that in almost all operations of mulberry, farm women had no major contribution. Only in the case of application of chemical fertilizers, pruning, weeding and harvesting of leaves at least some amount of participation could be accounted, which were carried out either ‘jointly’ or with ‘supervision’ only. Majority of the farm women spend 2-5 hours for chopping the leaves, feeding the worms, caring the worms at moulting, bed cleaning, protection of worms, moulting of worms, harvesting of cocoons and cleaning and grading of cocoons with ‘joint’ nature of participation. Regarding the extent of participation of farm family women in decision making in sericulture operations the study revealed that nearly one third of the farm women had ‘medium’ involvement, while a majority of them had either ‘low’ or ‘very low’ participation. A majority of the farm woman had ‘joint’ participation in decision making in all activities of mulberry cultivation none of the respondents had ‘solely’ participation in decision making in any of the activities of mulberry cultivation and silk worm rearing. More than fifty per cent of farm woman made ‘joint’ decisions in matters regarding number of feedings to be given to worms, size and quality of leaves, spacing of worms, caring of worms, method of bed cleaning, number of trays, time of mounting of worms, harvesting of cocoons, and grading and cleaning of cocoons with moderate frequent participation. The simple correlation analysis showed that out of sixteen variables, except age all variables were positively and significantly related with EPSO. Multiple regression analysis revealed that five variables namely experience in sericulture, scientific orientation, management orientaition, attitude towards sericulture and family income were significant in explaining the variability in EPSO. Except age and education all the variables showed positive and significant correlation with EPDS. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only two variables namely information source utilization and attitude towards sericulture were significant in explaining the variability in EPDS. The major constraints experienced by the farm family women in participation in sericulture and decision making were low price of the cocoons and price fluctuations in the market, lack of leisure time availability, lack of knowledge about the practices and death of worms due to diseases. Enhancement of managerial economy, economic utilization of leisure time and status elevation in the family were identified as the most important positive consequences experienced by the farm family women in sericulture. The major negative consequences experienced by the farm family women due to their participation in sericulture were lack of time to attend children and other farm and home operations, drudgery, exhaustion and frustration.
Role and accountability of women in the farming systems of Madakkathara panchayath in Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2001) Bindu, V S; Geethakutty, P S
A study on role and accountability of women in the farming systems was conducted in the Madakkathara panchayath of Thrissur District. A sample of 145 women heads selected from five types of fanning systems - homestead with crop components alone (Type-I), homestead with crop components and extended garden (Type-Il), homestead with crop and live stock components (Type-Ill), homestead with crop, extended garden and livestock components (Type-IV) and homestead with agri-business components (Type-V) formed the major respondents of the study. Another category of respondents consisted of 90 development functionaries (30 each of extension personnel, scientists and political functionaries) of Thrissur District. Relevant data were collected through personal interview and questionnaire. Regarding the extent of involvement of men and women and categorization of farm activities, the study could observe that there were female dominant, male dominant and gender neutral practices in the farming systems of the study area. In general, weeding, shed cleaning and feeding of cattle were found to be female dominant practices while marketing, selection of varieties, land preparation, manuring and plant protection were observed as male dominant practices. The practices observed as gender neutral were harvesting, post harvest operations, planting and irrigation. The analysis on farm income contribution by family women members revealed that in the case of farming .sy.stem with crop and live.stock components, family women were contributing the highest i.e. 37 per cent followed by the type with agri-business component; where in women were able to provide 30 percent of mcome. Time utilization pattern of farm women could reveal the better potential of system with crop and livestock components which was using on an average three hours of family women labour per day for farm management activities. The major problems and constraints faced by farm women were lack of economic freedom followed by lack of marketing facilities and low price for milk. The differential perception on the part of the development functionaries brought out the need for gender orientation and sensitivity with respect to the roles and constraints of farm women among the different functionaries. Content and beneficiary analysis of development programmes of Agriculture, Dairy development and Animal Husbandry Department revealed the essential changes in gender orientation to be brought in the programmes of the Department of Agriculture . . ,
Role of non-govermental organisations in transfer of technology for rural development- a study in Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Indu Bhaskar; Geethakutty, P S
A study was undertaken to analyse the effectiveness of NGOs in transfer of technology for rural development. It also aimed to identify the major programmes conducted by the selected NGOs and its consequences. The study was carried out in two selected NGOs, Kuriakose Elias Service Society (KESS) and Apex Voluntary Association for Rural Development (AVARD) of Thrissur district of Kerala during 1995-96. The sample selected for the study consisted of 100 beneficiaries, 60 non- beneficiaries, 30 NGO workers and 30 workers of other development agencies in Thrissur District. The study revealed that the major programmes of the NGOs were agri- cultural, health, HRD, community development and industrial and trade promotion programmes. The programmes consisted of components which aim at the desired changes like behavioural, health and hygiene, education, employment generation, ecological preservation, community development, leadership development, economic improvement, saftey and security, welfare, technology, self-reliance etc. which in general aimed at the overall development of rural community. Ninety per cent of the beneficiaries considered the consequences of programmes of NGOs as most beneficial to them. On analysing the respondents evaluative perception about the effectiveness of the NGOs, seventy three per cent of beneficiaries, twenty seven per cent of non-beneficiaries and ninety per cent of NGO workers and seventy per cent of development workers rated the NGOS as most effec- tive in rural development work. Significant characteristics of beneficiaries to predict their evaluative perception about the NGOs were farm size, annual income, level of aspiration and attitude towards NGOs. The beneficiaries of NGOs was significantly different from non-beneficiaries with regard to their farm size, extension contact, organisational participation, level of aspiration and attitude towards NGOs. The major constraints the NGOs face in their work for rural development were complexes of caste and religion among the rural people and lack of involve- ment from beneficiaries. The study draw attention to the emergent need of effective utilisation of the experiences and services of NGOs for rural development.
Role of non-governmental organizations in rural development: A case study
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Indu, Bhaskar; Geethakutty, P S
Role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in rural development was analysed through a case study conducted on two NGOs in Thrissur District of Kerala State. Major rural development programmes of the NGOs were agricultural programmes, health programmes, human resource development programmes, community development and industrial and trade programmes. Majority of the beneficiaries, nonbeneficiaries, workers of NGOs and workers of other development agencies considered rural development works of the NGOs as effective for rural development.
Study of rubber producer`s society of Thrissur district- sap analysis
(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Jayanta Roy; Geethakutty, P S
Women entrepreneurs in agri-business
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 2002) Sindhu Narayanan, S; Geethakutty, P S
The study "Women entrepreneurs in agri business" was undertaken in Kozhikode, Thrissur and Palakkad District of Kerala to understand the profile of women entrepreneurs in agribusiness, the push and pull factors of women entrepreneurship, the major problems perceived by women entrepreneurs and to measure their level of success. The sample selected for the study was 60 women entrepreneurs (20 from each district). The entrepreneurs were classified based on the products and services-into seven major typologies as traditional, innovative, on-farm, off- farm, on-farm cum off-farm, formal and informal enterprises. The food industry and floriculture were the major areas of agri business in which large number of women entrepreneurs were engaged. The profile of women entrepreneurs revealed that 50 per cent of the respondents entered business at the age of 31 to 40 years. Majority of respondents were married with nuclear family and most of them possessed medium level of entrepreneurial traits. Support from family and group members, support from developmental institutions, extent of media utilization, training received for enterprise management and labour relationship along with motivational factors such as need for independence, earning money/ income, recognition in society and need to do something new etc., acted as push or pull factors depending on the profile of respondents. The most important problem perceived by women entrepreneurs was lack of timely finance. The high cost of raw materials and low price received for the final product were also major issues. The study revealed that majority of respondents had medium to high level of success in their respective fields. This was measured using Entrepreneurial Success Index (ESI) developed for the purpose, with eight dimensions viz., profitability, social recognition, consumer satisfaction, produce/brand recognition, employee's satisfaction, quality of produce, capacity utilization and diversification. Detailed case studies of selected six successful women entrepreneurs belonging to different typologies revealed the interacting factors of entrepreneurial management. Lack of technical knowhow and managerial capacity were observed to hinder the women entrepreneurs from reaching high levels of success in their respective fields. The study drew attention to the need for target oriented, and strategic entrepreneurial training programmes to promote entrepreneurial capacity building, among rural women of Kerala.