Browsing by Author "Mothilal Nehru, S"

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Cause-consequence analysis of indebtedness among farmers in Pulpally panchayat of Wayanad district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2008) Bhavya, B; Mothilal Nehru, S
The agrarian sector in Kerala is facing a crisis unparalleled in its history. Fall in prices, decreasing production and productivity of crops, diminishing soil fertility and irrigation water availability, climatic aberrations, pest and disease attack of crops etc. have resulted in a manifold decline in the financial viability of agriculture. This has in turn led to a steep increase in indebtedness of farmers and increasing number of farmer’s suicides. In this background, the present investigation has been designed to attempt a cause- consequence analysis of indebtedness of farmers. The study was conducted in Pulpally panchayat of Wayanad district where maximum number of farmer’s suicides due to indebtedness were reported. Sixty respondents were randomly selected for the study. A simple severity index was used to rank the causes and consequences of indebtedness and a usefulness index was used to measure the perception of farmers on governmental interventions in resolving the crisis. Majority of farmers belong to medium category as far as socio economic variables like exposure to mass media, extension participation, extension contact, economic motivation, risk orientation, credit orientation, progressiveness, perception of profitability and level of aspiration is concerned. Agriculture was the main source of income for more than 86 per cent of farmers. Nearly 84 per cent of respondents were indebted for less than two lakh rupees. The average amount of loan across the panchayat of Pulpally is Rs. 96,850. The average amount due per acre for entire sample area was Rs. 64,518. The total number of loans taken was 1.63 times higher than the number of respondents. More than 65 per cent of respondents took credit from institutional sources. For respondents the average number of years of being a creditor and defaulter is 6.91 years and 3.11 years respectively. More than 48 per cent respondents used agricultural loan for non agricultural purposes. The factors leading to indebtedness were delineated and arranged in descending order of severity. They are low market price of produce, disease/pest of support, decline in agricultural income, disease of crop, absence of other sources of income, decrease in produce demand, crop failure due to climatic variations, high rate of interest, absence of value addition, misutilization of loans, pest attack of crop, deficiency of irrigation water, decrease in soil fertility, inefficient marketing, low export price. A similar analysis was done on consequences of indebtedness. The descending order of consequences is changes in lifestyle, hunt for alternate jobs, deforestation in holdings, reduction in money on social purposes, selling land, reduction in money spent on recreation, depression, decrease in health consciousness, aggravation of drinking habit, sale of vehicles, adverse impact on education, social isolation, tensions in family, impact on marriages and house construction and maintenance affected. The usefulness of governmental interventions was measured on the basis of perception of farmers and was arranged in decreasing order of importance. They are compensation cash for pepper, interest waiver, Debt Relief Commission, saplings and fertilizers for pepper farmers and NREGS. It was also found that majority of farmers had high levels of stress.
Extent of adoption of techniques of scientific vegetable cultivation by trained farm men and women
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1983) Abdul Rahiman Kunju, O; Mothilal Nehru, S
Group characteristics of self help groups
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Sreedaya, G S; Kumari Sushama, N P; Mothilal Nehru, S
Job efficiency of panchayat level agricultural officers of department of agriculture in Kerala
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Mothilal Nehru, S; Thyagarajan Nair, G
The study aimed to examine the job efficiency of Agricultural Officers of State Department of Agriculture. The study was conducted in three Agro climatic zones of Kerala State covering six districts, two each from the zones. The selected districts were Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur. From each district, one agricultural sub – division was randomly selected. Finally 154 Agricultural Officers were selected for the main study and analysis and interpretation were carried out with the responses obtained from 115 respondents. The job efficiency was measured with the help of a scale developed for the study and rated by the Assistant Directors of the selected Agricultural Officers. BARS technique was used to develop the job efficiency scale. A pilot study was conducted to screen independent variables and finally ten personal and situational related variables were selected. Data were collected through structured interview schedule and mailed questionnaire. The job dimension identified empirically were ‘planning’, ‘coordination’, ‘human relation’, office management’, ‘professional competency’ and ‘farmer development’. In general, more than half of the Agricultural officers had high job efficiency. Similarly, in the case of job dimensions majority of them fall under the category of high group except ‘office management’ dimension. There was no significant difference between overall job efficiency of the Agricultural officers among the three zones. At the same time, there was significant difference among the Agricultural Officers of the zone in the job dimensions namely, ‘coordination’, ‘office management’ and ‘professional competency’. The personal and situational related variables namely, attitude towards profession, self confidence, intrinsic motivation, job satisfaction, job involvement, technical competency, communication behaviour, organizational climate, guidance and supervision and facilities and resources put together contributed significantly to the efficiency of Agricultural Officers and explained 77 per cent of the variation in job efficiency. The best sub - set of variables for predicting the variation in job efficiency were communication behaviour, technical competency and self confidence. The ‘communication behaviour’ and ‘technical competency’ were the two variables influencing all the job efficiency dimensions to a substantial extent. Next to these two variables, ‘self confidence’ was found to be influencing all the dimensions except ‘human relation,. The variables like ‘organisational climate’, attitude towards profession’, ‘intrinsic motivation’ were also found to be important in this respect. The major constraints perceived by the Agricultural Officers were ‘more number of programmes’, ‘lack of sufficient knowledge about programmes of sister departments’, ‘lack of sufficient knowledge on personnel management’, ‘inadequate office facilities’, ‘lack of skill oriented trainings on viable technology’ and ‘administrative delay in disbursing subsidies and other benefits to farmers’.
Knowledge utilization by farmer trainees on propagation techniques of fruit and ornamental plants
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Abdul Rahiman Kunju, O; Mothilal Nehru, S
Knowledge utilization by farmer trainees on propagation techniques of fruit and ornamental plants
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1981) Abdul Rahiman Kunju, D; Mothilal Nehru, S; Mohana Dasan, T C
Managerial behaviour of commercial banana growers in Thiruvanathapuram district
(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Sangeetha, K G; Mothilal Nehru, S
Perception of officials about self help groups involved in vegetable cultivation
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Sreedaya, G S; Kumari Sushama, N P; Mothilal Nehru, S
Performance effectiveness of teachers in the agricultural colleges of Kerala Agricultural University
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2006) Mercy Bella, M; Mothilal Nehru, S
The study entitled “Performance effectiveness of teachers in the agricultural colleges of Kerala Agricultural University” was undertaken to assess the performance effectiveness of teachers. It also aimed to delineate the factors that influencing the performance effectiveness of teachers and also to identify the constraints to make suggestion for enhancing their performance effectiveness. Performance effectiveness was the dependent variable while the independent variables, at organizational level and at individual level were assessed. The organizational factors included recognition and reward, fair and impartial administration, facilities and resources, job security, scope for job enrichment, job status, salary structure, freedom for expression and career development opportunity. The individual factors included job satisfaction, job involvement, self-confidence, job perception, achievement motivation, positive thinking, leadership and sociability. The study was conducted in the three agricultural colleges of Kerala Agricultural University. A sample of sixty respondents was selected using probability proportionality size sampling. Data were collected through well structured questionnaires. The study revealed that the overall performance effectiveness of teachers were towards the better side. Most of the factors at organizational level and at individual level showed positive and significant relationship. The distribution of respondents based on profile characteristics was found non significant with their performance effectiveness. The major constraints faced by the respondents were the excessive dependence on funding agency oriented research, cumbersome procedures of office administration, lack of team work in research/extension activities, research agenda prioritization with out considering farmers problem, poor accountability and responsibility on the part of university administration and inadequate administrative support. Hence for enhancement of their performance effectiveness, application of modern principles of management, decentralization of administration, leadership in managerial efficiency and scientific quantification of work performance can be suggested.
Programme preference of the farm broadcast listeners of Trivandrum district
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1982) Mothilal Nehru, S; Tampi, A M
Prospects and constraints of commercial cutflower production in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, 1997) Sindhu, S; Mothilal Nehru, S
The present study under the title "Prospects and constraints of cutflower production in Thiruvananthapuram district" was undertaken with the following objectives. 1. To delineate the components of conceptual skill and to measure the conceptual skill of growers. 2. To study the relationship of personal, socio-situational and economic factors with the conceptual skill of growers. 3. To study the production practices of cutflowers followed by the growers. 4. To identify the different marketing channels existing in cutflower marketing in consultation with the growers. 5. To identify the constraints related to cutflower production and marketing as perceived by growers. The study was conducted among the respondents of five cutflower societies functioning in Thiruvananthapuram district. A sample of 100 growers were selected from the societies by adopting stratified random sampling technique with proportionate sampling procedure. Data was collected with the help of well structured, pre tested interview schedule and suitable statistical tests were employed in the analysis of data. In the study conceptual skill has been considered as dependent variable. The factors such as planning, risk-orientation, decision-taking ability, supervision and market perception were the major dimensions of conceptual skill. The selected personal, socio-situational and economic factors of cutflower growers were taken as independent variables which included education, cutflower growing experience, attitude towards cutflower growing, knowledge on cut flowers, self confidence, orientation towards competition, orientation towards skill development in farm workers, information seeking behaviour (personal), operational area, infra structural facilities, extension participation, social participation, mass media exposure (socio-situational), annual income and credit orientation (economic). Relationship of the personal, socio-situational and economic factors with the conceptual skill showed that in the case of Group I, none of the variables correlated with conceptual skill. In the case of Group 11 attitude towards cutflower growing, knowledge on cutflowers were positively and significantly correlated while mass media exposure was negatively and significantly correlated with conceptual skill. In the case of Group Ill, variables like cutflower growing experience, attitude towards cutflower growing, knowledge on cut flowers, orientation towards skill development and information seeking behaviour were correlated positively and significantly with conceptual skill. In the case of Group V a positive and significant relationship exists between conceptual skill and cutflower growing experience and orientation towards skill development in farm workers. In the case of Gr. V, a positive and significant relationship exists between conceptual skill and variables like cutflower growing experience, attitude towards cutflower growing, knowledge on cutflowers, self confidence, orientation towards skill development ill farm workers, information seeking behaviour and operational area. None of the socio-situational factors related significantly with conceptual skill of the respondents of Group I, Group 11, Group III and Group IV except for mass media exposure which was negatively and significantly correlated with conceptual skill of respondents of Group 11. None of the economic factors correlated with conceptual skill of the respondents of Group I, Group 11, Group Ill, Group IV and Group V. Regarding the production practices followed by anthurium growers, majority of growers have ordinary varieties. Majority of the growers follow pot planting using potting media containing sawdust, charcoal, brick and tile pieces, coconut husk and leaf-mould. Orchid growers have the collection of both monopodial and sympodial orchids and majority of the growers plant monopodial orchids in coconut husk alone and sympodial orchids in charcoal pieces alone. Regarding organic manure application, majority of the growers use diluted solution of fermented groundnut and neemcake in both the case of anthuriums and orchids. Majority of the growers apply 17: 17: 1 7 complex fertilizer solutions to both anthuriums and orchids. Majority of the growers apply organic manure and fertilisers once in a fortnight. Majority of the growers apply fungicides and pesticides once in a week regularly. Thus an indiscriminate use of fertilisers and plant protection chemicals was noticed in the study. Majority of the growers harvest flowers whenever there is demand. Flowers are cut during early mornings and late evenings. In the study various marketing channel ha been identified. in which the most important marketing channel of cutflowers identified was 'producer - collection centre - florishop- consumer'. Various production, technological and marketing constraints has been identified in the study. The important constraints perceived by the growers were 'high price of planting materials' (production), 'no standardised practices to follow' (technological) and 'inability of small growers to find market (marketing).
To study the effectiveness of farm broadcasts through radio in disseminating agricultural information to the farmers of Trivandrum District
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Mothilal Nehru, S; Tampi, A M
The study was conducted in Trivandrum district of Kerala with the objective of identifying the preference of listeners with reference to node, programme, duration and frequency of farm broadcasts.It was also decided to study the relationship between selected characteristics of the listeners and their mass media exposure behaviour, listening behoviour, communication behaviour, source utilization behaviour and adoption behaviour. The selected characteristics of the listeners were age, education, occupation, farm size, crops grown, radio ownership and discussion. The available measurement techniques and scoring systems were used for Independent variables such as education (Trivedi, 1963), social participation (Trivedi, 1963) and occupation (Batlrinarayanan, 1977). Age was measured in terms of number of years the respondent had completed and the umber of acres cultivated was token as the measure of farm size. Radio ownership was measured In terms of possession of radio set. The Instruments for measuring moss media exposure behaviour was developed on the lines of Rogers and .Svenning (1969). The scales to measure listening behaviour (Badrinarayanan, 1977) arid, communication behaviour Murthy and Singh, 1974) ware used with slight modifications. The source utilisation behaviour woo measured by the scale developed by hair (1969). The adoption behaviour was measured by the Adoption Quotient as developed by Jalswal end Dave (1972). Satehoc been collected from 150 charcha samithy members using a pro-tested, valid interview schedule. Data statistically analysed using appropriate parametric techniques.
To study the effectiveness of farm broadcasts through radio in disseminating agricultural information to the farmers of Trivandrum district
(Department of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1980) Mothilal Nehru, S; Thampi, A M
The study was conducted in Trivendrum district of Kerala with the objective of identifying the preference of listeners with reference to mode, programme, duration and frequency of farm broadcasts. It was also decide to study the relationship between selected characteristics of listeners and their mass media exposure behaviour, listening behaviour, communication behaviour, source utilization behaviour and adoption behaviour. The selected charecteristics of the listeners were age, education, occupation, farm size, crops grown, radio ownership and discussion. The available measurement techniques and scoring systems were used for independent variables such as education (Trivedi, 1963), social participation (Trivedi, 1963) and occupation (Badrinarayanan, 1977). Age was measured in terms of number of years the respondent had completed and number of acres cultivated was taken as the measure of farm size. Radio ownership was measured in terms of possession of radio set. The instruments for measuring mass media exposure behaviour was developed on the lines of Rogers and Svenning (1969). The scales of measures listening behaviour (Badrinarayanan, 1977) and communication behaviour (Murthy and Singh, 1974) were used with slight modifications. The Source utilization behaviour was measured by the scale developed by Nair (1969),. The adoption behaviour was measured by the Adoption Quotient as developed by Jaiswal and Dave (1972). Data has been collected from 150 charcha samithy members using a pre-tested, valid interview schedule. Data statistically analysed using appropriate parametric techniques. The results revealed that interview was perceived as the best mode of farm broadcasts and karshika mekhala varhtakal was the most preferred farm programme. Among the selected independent variables discussion was the most contributed variable for mass media exposure behaviour. Communication behaviour was influenced mostly by listening behaviour, discussion, mass media exposure behaviour etc. For source utilization behaviour listening behaviour of farmer was the most contributing variable. It was revealed that adoption behaviour of the listener was found to be determined by their communication behaviour.
Women empowerment through group action in the kudumbashree programme of kerala: a multidimensional analysis
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2007) Priya Devi, R; Mothilal Nehru, S