Browsing by Author "Menon, A G G"

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Adoption of drought management practices by farmers: a critical analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Abdul Aziz, E; Menon, A G G
To assess the awareness and adoption of the recommended drought management practices for rice and coconut, a study was undertaken in Palaghat district of Kerala State. The independent variables taken were age, education, size of holding, annual income, risk orientation, economic motivation, scientific orientation, knowledge about recommended drought management practices for coconut, awareness about the drought-proneness of crops, knowledge about parameters of drought and extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for rice and coconut. The dependant variables were extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for rice and coconut. Results revealed that majority of the farmers were going for the cultivation of short duration varieties in the case of rice and mulching in the case of coconut to tide over the drought situation. Majority of the farmers belonged to medium group in the case of knowledge about drought management practices for rice and coconut and adoption of drought managenent practices in rice and coconut cultivation. Majority of the farmers used seed at 100 kg/ha in the case of rice and mulching In the case of coconut. None of the farmers adopted application of 34 kg each of NPR/ha in the case of rice. Only 28 per cent adopted husk burial practice in their coconut gardens. Only very few respondents adopted drip irrigation practice. The results of the correlation analysis showed that size of holding, knowledge aibout recommended drought management practices for coconut and extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for coconut were positively and significantly correlated with the extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for rice, while size of holding, annual income, knowledge about recommended drought management practices for coconut and extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for rice were positively and significantly correlated with extent of adoption of recommended drought management practices for coconut. Majority of the farmers belonged to medium group with respect to their awareness about the drought-proneness of crops and knowledge about parameters of drought. Results of path-analysis showed maximum positive direct effect was found contributed by 'size of holding' in the case of adoption of drought management practices for rice and' annual income' in the case of adoption of drought management practices for coconut. Lack of knowledge about technology, lack of finance and non-availability of inputs/equipment were considered as the major constraints in the adoption of drought management practices for rice and coconut.
Analysis of the inservice training programme for the personnel of the department of agriculture conducted by the Kerala agricultural university
(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1987) Santhi, C U; Menon, A G G
A study was undertaken to analyse the selected inservice training programmes conducted by the Kerala Agricultural University for the extension personel of the State Department of Agriculture to assess, 1. the impact of selected inservice training programmes on the professional knowledge of the trainees 2. the perception of the trainees about the treatment and utility of the selected inservice training programmes 3. the perceived effectiveness of training methodology followed in the inservice training programmes and factors related to it 4. the constraints experienced by the trainees, trainers and Course Directors of inservice training programmes conducted by the Kerala Agricultural University. Three selected training programmes namely ‘Training in plant protection for Agricultural Demonstrators’, ‘Training in pulses and oilseeds production technology for Agricultural Officers’ and ‘Training in audio-visual aids and techniques for Assistant Directors of Agriculture were evaluated with the objectives mentioned above. The study revealed that all the three categories of trainee-respondents namely, Agricultural Demonstrators, Agricultural Officers and Assistant Directors showed significant gain in knowledge due to the training programmes. The gain in knowledge due to training was the highest for Assistant Directors of Agriculture, followed by the Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Demonstrators. The independent variables namely; ‘education’, ‘number of previous trainings undergone’, ‘attitude towards extension profession’ and ‘job satisfaction’ of Agricultural Demonstrators were found to be significantly associated with their gain in knowledge. In the case of Agricultural Officers and Assistant Directors none of the independent variables showed significant association with their gain in knowledge. Among the three training programmes the ‘training in plant protection for Agricultural Demonstrators’ had the highest treatment-utility index (58.43), followed by the ‘training in pulses and oilseeds production technology for Agricultural Officers’ and ‘training in audio-visual aids and techniques for Assistant Directors’ for which the treatment – utility indices were 58.27 and 51.42 respectively. Both the Agricultural Demonstrators and Assistant Directors had the highest perception about the training methodology aspect namely ‘Timeliness of information about the training’ where as the Agricultural Officers had highest perception about the ‘Selection of subject matter for training’ in the pre-training stage. ‘The competency of the trainers in general’ was the training methodology aspect which was highly appreciated by the Agricultural Demonstrators in the in-training stage. ‘Opportunities for clarification of doubts’ and ‘opportunities for trainees participation’ were given highest perception scores respectively by the Agricultural Officers and Assistant Directors in the in-training stage. In the post-training stage all the three categories of respondents namely the Agricultural Demonstrators, Agricultural Officers and Assistant Directors had the highest perception about the ‘Monitoring and evaluation of training’. The Agricultural Demonstrators were constrained with the ‘Poor lodging facilities and poor boarding facilities’ provided for them. The ‘Lack of skill practice’, ‘Inadequate practicals’ and ‘Lack of field visits’ were the serious constraints experienced by the Agricultural Officers. The Assistant Directors perceived the ‘Insufficient transportation facilities’ and ‘Non-supply of training literature’ as serious constraints. Both the trainers and Course Directors felt the ‘inadequacy of transportation facilities’ as serious constraint.
Communication behaviour of non-contact farmers in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1988) Sherief, A K; Menon, A G G; Bhaskaran, C
The research study conducted among selected noncontact farmers in Trivandrum, Quilon and Alleppey districts revealed that majority of the respondents received most of the technical information on rice cultivation from 'other farmers'. The study brought to light the increasing difficulty the noncontact farmers experienced in decoding and encoding the messages as their complexity increased. The noncontact farmers communicated technical information to 'other farmers' more frequently. Similarly, most of the feedback from the noncontact farmers was mainly communicated to 'other farmers, in their area.
Communication behaviour of noncontact farmers under training and visit system of agricultural extension in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Pilicode, 1985) Sherief, A K; Menon, A G G
A research study was conducted in Trivandrum, Quilon and Allappey districts of Kerala, India to study the following: 1. The communication behavior of noncontact farmers including their pattern of information-input, processing, output and feedback; 2. The personal, socio-psychological and economic characteristics of noncontact farmers; 3. The relationship between communication behavior of noncontact farmers and their personal, socio-psychological and economic characteristics; and 4. The predictive power of the selected personnel, socio-psychological and economic characteristics of noncontact farmers in explaining the variations in their communication behavior. One hundred and twenty noncontact farmers were selected for the study using a four stage random sampling procedure. The study illuminated that majority of the respondents received information on improved cultivation practices for paddy from ‘Other Farmers’ in their locality. ‘Contact Farmers’ served only as a secondary source of ag-information. Among mass media sources, ’Newspaper’ emerged as the most important information source, followed by ‘Farm broadcasts’. The study brought to light the increasing difficulty the noncontact farmers experienced in processing of information as the complexity and cost implication of the message increased. ‘Personal talk during casual meeting’ was the most often used method of interpersonal communication by the respondents and they communicated the information to ‘Other Farmers’ in their area more frequently. Similarly, most of the feedback was communicated to ‘Other Farmers’ and ‘Contact Farmers’ were involved in this process to a lesser extent. Majority of the respondents had low level of communication behavior. Out of the eight independent variables studied, six variables, viz., ‘awareness about T & V system’, ‘attitude towards contact farmer system’, ‘socio-economic status’, ‘extent of cosmopoliteness’, ‘level of aspiration’ and ‘work orientation’ were positively and significantly correlated with the communication behavior of the noncontact farmers. ‘Age’ was found to be negatively and significantly correlated and ‘farm size’ was the only independent which was not significantly correlated with the communication behavior of the noncontact farmers. The multiple regression analysis pointed out that ’awareness about T & V System’ had contributed significantly in the prediction of overall communication behavior, information-input and information output behavior of the noncontact farmers. ‘Age’ and ‘Work-orientation’ had significant predictive function in determining the information-processing and information-feedback behavior of the noncontact farmers under T & V System of Agricultural Extension in Kerala.
Communication patterns among contact farmers in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1984) Abdul Kareem, K; Menon, A G G; Bhaskaran, C
The research study conducted among selected contact farmers in Trivandrum district of Kerala revealed that majority of the respondents received most of the information, on coconut cultivation from Agricultural Demonstrators of the Department of Agriculture and 'local leaders' were the least consulted source of agro-information. The study brought to light the increasing difficulty the contact farmers experienced in decoding and encoding as the complexity of the message increased. The respondents communicated technical information to 'non-contact farmers of their own area' more frequently. Out of the three types of information feedback, communication of information related to technical aspects was the most important form of feedback.
Communication role and behaviour of contact farmers under training and visit system in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1984) Abdul Kareem, K; Menon, A G G
A research study was conducted In Trivandrum district, Kerala, India to assess and study the following 1. The interpersonal commuication behaviour of contact farmers including tha pattern of information input, processing, output and feedback. 2. The role perception and role performance of contact farmers. 3. The socio-economic and psychological characteristics of contact formers. 4. The relationship between interpersonal oorrmnication behaviour of contact farmers and their socio-economic and psychological characteristics.
Determinants of communication behaviour of contact farmers - a path analysis
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1985) Abdul Kareem, K; Menon, A G G; Bhaskaran, C
Differential characteristics of participants AMD nonparticipants of farmers' functional literacy programme
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1979) Muraleedhara prasad; Menon, A G G
An attempt was made to study the differential characteristics of participants and non-participants of F. F. L. P. in Trivandrum District, Kerala. Seventyfive participants of F. F. L. P. who were practising rice farmers and 65 non-participant practising rice farmers selected at random formed the respondents for this study. 'F' test was employed to test the significance of the difference of the mean scores of the various characteristics in the two samples. The study revealed that the participants of F. F, L. P. were having higher social participation, more knowledge about improved rice practices and higher use of mass media as compared to the non- participants. Iriter-peisona! locaVrte sources were more frequently used by the non-participants than the participants. Both the participant and non-participants of F. F, L. P. extensively used interpersonal cosmopolite sources and there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the use of this source.
Differential characteristics of youth club members and non-members in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Joy Mathew; Menon, A G G; Bhaskaran, C
The research study conducted in NFS Block, Pattambi in Palghat district of Kerala among youth club members and non-members revealed that they differed significantly with reference to many of the selected variables. The youth club members had significantly higher mean scores than the non- members with respect to education, social participation, family economic status, cosmopoliteness, attitude towards agriculture and rote perception and role performance in agricultural development. However, there was no significant difference between the youth club members and non-members with respect to their occupational status, parental [occupation and level of aspiration. These findings provide a typology or profile feature of the rural youth in Kerala, which has to be considered while launching special programmes of rural areas in Kerala, in general, for the development and rural youth in Kerala, in particular.
Differential preference of professional job areas and subject matter of undergraduates in agriculture
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1974) Nair, G T; Menon, A G G
The differential preference values for the different subject matter areas and job area were studied for two years. The data were provided by the final year students of agriculture in 1972 and 1973. The analysis of the data revealed that Agronomy had the high preference value foiled by Horticulture, Agrl. Chemistry, Agrl. Botany, Agrl. Extension, Agrl. Economics, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Agrl. Statististics in the order of prefence. Among the different professional job areas research had the highest preference value followed by extension, teaching, cultivation and business in the order of preference.
Effect of seradix-Bl, B2 and B3 on the yield of tapioca Manihot esculenta Syn. Manihot utilissima
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 1966) Menon, A G G; Nair, K P M; George, C M
Effect of tillage operations and irrigation on the yield of bengal gram (Cicer arietinum. L.)
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 1968) Menon, A G G
Factors affecting the functioning of rural youth clubs in Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Joy Mathew; Menon, A G G; Bhaskaran, C
The research study was conducted among seventy five youth club members in NES Block, Pattambi, Palghat district in Kerala to identify the factors which determine the successful functioning of rural youth clubs. The study revealed that there was more or less perfect agreement among the different categories of youth club members, viz., more favourable and less favourable attitude groups, more correct and less correct role perception groups and higher and lower role performance groups in ranking the identified factors based on their relative importance for the successful functioning of youth clubs. Members' interest was perceived as the most important factor affecting the successful functioning of youth clubs by all the categories of respondents followed by either financial position of the club or club functioning and personal relations between members as next in the order of importance. These findings may be kept in view while organising rural youth clubs as viable voluntary agencies to help in the upheaval of rural areas.
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.
Food consumption level and nutritional status of Fishermen community in Trivandrum district
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1980) Prema, L; Menon, A G G
The dietary intake, nutritional level and nutritional problems of the vulnerable group among the fishermen's families of the coastal areas of Trivandrum District were assessed by conducting a survey in the area. It was found that cereals, roots and tubers and fish are the commonly used food items among these families while other foods are rarely used- The diets were found to be deficient in all the nutrients except vitamin C. Home production of foods such as vegetables, fruits etc., was not popular am ng these families.
Food consumption pattern of the families in Kalliyoor village, Nemom N E S Block
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1977) Prema, I; Menon, A G G
Gain in knowledge and attitude towards training of supervisors of primary land motgage banks
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1980) Abdul Rahiman Kunju, O; Menon, A G G
Group management in rice production an action research
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1992) Mohammed Hussain, M; Menon, A G G
The study “Group management in rice production – an action research” was conducted in Punchakari of Kalliyoor Panchayat, Trivandrum. The study was aimed at to analyse reasons for the success or failure of earlier group approaches and also to analyse the constraints in increasing rice production. It was planned to develop and implement an action programme to overcome the identified constraints through group management. 34 farmers in an area of 10 acres were selected for the study. The research design followed in this action research study was that of ‘before and after experiment’ type, in which the experiment had the respondent’s participation in planning, implementing and evaluation and with an action research component of utilizing the results of the study for further refinement of the group management approach through continuous monitoring and evaluation of the entire programme. A suitable technology package was identified to overcome the selected constraints and introduced in the study area. The impact of the action programme on the selected socio psychological and economic variables was closely monitored and evaluated. The most important reasons for the failure of earlier group approaches were : ‘the political system does not permit’, /group approach ‘possible only when there is continuous leadership’, ‘group approach dies out when external leadership is withdrawn’, ‘no knowledge about group-mamagement’, ‘farmers are not co-operative’, ‘heterogenous group members are more in villages’, ‘no proper machinery to popularize group management’, less scope for unanimous decision’, ‘no proper extension guidance’, ‘no proper guidance from Government side’, ‘inadequate number of voluntary organisations’, ‘public involvement is less’. The nature of content reflected in the results on the constraints in increasing rice production were : ‘non availability of inputs’, ‘high cost of inputs’, ‘incidence of pests and diseases’, labour related problems’, ‘marketing’, ‘drainage’, and ‘lack of technical advice’. There was a significant change on the favourable side in the use of information sources by the respondents exposed to group management approach. The changes brought in the adoption of package of practices through group management approach were significant. Group management approach had brought in favourable changes in the character of social participation of respondents. Group management approach had played a vital role in enhancing the knowledge level about high yielding varieties of rice cultivations. There occurred a gradual but a favourable improvement in the cosmopoliteness of the respondents over group management approach period. There was a significant favourable change in the extension orientation of respondents through group-management. The respondents in the study area had changed significantly with regard to their management orientation due to group management efforts. Group management approach had influenced the attitude of respondents favourably towards it. The group cohesiveness was improved among the members of farmers as a result of group activities. There was a positive significant relationship developed between the yield obtained by the respondents and group management efforts. The net income from rice cultivation was increased considerably due to continuous exposure to group management approaches. There was marked significant reduction in the cost of cultivation of rice noticed for all the operations selected for/the study except harvesting over the four crop seasons as a result of group management. However a slight increase in the cost of cultivation of different operations noticed other than transplanting and manures and manuring during the follow up crop season when the Researcher’s supervision was withdrawn. The extension method, field visit was preferred much for all the package of practices of high yielding varieties of rice cultivated in the study area. Farmer’s training, group discussion and individual contact were found to be preferred next best in their sequence during the post exposure periods of group management approaches.
Impact of development programmes among the tribals of Kerala
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Kumari Sushama, N P; Menon, A G G; Bhaskaran, C
An investigation to study the impact of development programmes among the tribals of Kerala was carried out in the South Wynad and North Wynad taluks of Wynad district. Two hundred tribal families selected from the four major tribes of the district viz., Kurumans, Kurichians, Paniyans and Adiyans constituted the sample of the study. The analysis of data revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean adoption scores, me3n knowledge scores and mean attitude scores of the tribes living in more developed and less developed areas. It is also found that among the individual tribes, Adiyans had high adoption, high level of knowledge and more favourable attitude towards modern practices whereas Paniyans had low adoption, low level of knowledge and less favourable attitude towards modern practices.