Browsing by Author "Prasad, R M"

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Analysis of the management for sustainable agriculture by the farmers of Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1995) Jayasree Krishnankutty; Prasad, R M
The study was conducted with the main objectives of analyzing the concept and dimensions of sustainable agriculture and the extent of knowledge, attitude and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by the farmers of Kerala and also the factors affecting them. The study was undertaken in Thrissur District of Kerala State covering 270 farmers selected using multi – stage random sampling procedure. Besides farmers, 25 agricultural scientists, 25 agricultural extension personnel and 25 progressive farmers were also selected to analyse the perception about the concept and dimensions of sustainable agriculture. The dependent variables selected for the study were knowledge about sustainable agriculture, attitude towards sustainable agriculture and extent of adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Fifteen independent variables were selected in relation to the objectives and based on review of literature and pilot study. Correlation analysis multiple regression analysis, step down regression analysis, and path analysis were employed for data analysis and interpretation. It was deducted from the study that a farming system can be called sustainable when it meets the product demand for which it is intended, can maintain the productivity without depleting the natural resource base, is not harmful to the environment, is economically viable, suited to the local conditions in all aspects and can be expanded without any deleterious effects in case of increased future demand. Six dimensions were identified as important for sustainable agriculture and they were resource use efficiency, environmental soundness, economic viability, technological appropriateness, economic feasibility and local adaptability. Content analysis of the various schemes implemented by the three development departments of the State revealed that the extent of inclusion of the components of sustainable agriculture in the development programmes is only less than 25 per cent. Majority of the respondents were in the medium category with respect to knowledge, attitude and extent of adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Education, income from agriculture, exposure to interpersonal sources, perception about availability of sustainable agricultural techniques, perception about price of inputs and extension contact were found significant in predicting the variation in knowledge of farmers about sustainable agriculture. Exposure to interpersonal sources, perception about availability of sustainable agricultural techniques and perception about price of agricultural produce had significant contribution towards the variation in attitude of farmers towards sustainable agriculture. Farming experience, income from agriculture, exposure to interpersonal sources, perception about availability of sustainable agricultural techniques and extension contact were found to have significant contribution towards the extent of adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by the farmers. Apprehension about fall in profit margin, high cost of labour, lack of information about sustainable agricultural practices, acute shortage in the availability of organic inputs, shortage in labour availability and lack of easy availability of many of the sustainable agricultural practices were the major constraints in adoption of sustainable agricultural practices as expressed by farmers.
AoA under WTO agreements in spice sector in Kerala - a stakeholder analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2003) Sajin, P T; Prasad, R M
The AoA under WTO has special significance to Kerala agriculture where in 70 per cent of the cropped area is occupied by crops such as coconut, tea, cashew, coffee, rubber, spices 'etc most of which involve international trade. Most of Kerala's cash crops have strong international competitors. Though AoA has far reaching implications in the marketing of spices, it is not clear as to how far the farmers, traders and development officers are conversant about the provisions of AOA and related aspects. With this in mind, the present study was undertaken with the main objective of analyzing the level of knowledge of keystakeholders about AoA and the perception of key' stakeholders about the impact of WTO agreements on spices production and marketing. The study was conducted in two districts of Kerala viz, Idukki and Ernakulam, the areas that are well known for spice cultivation. Three categories of stakeholders namely farmers, traders and development officers which altogether constituted 120 numbers formed the respondents. The data were collected using pre-tested and well-structured interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of data. From the study it was observed that most of the respondents were under low and medium knowledge categories. The influence of selected characteristics of respondents on their knowledge about AoA and perception about the impact of AoA on spice production and marketing was studied. The results of regression analysis of selected characteristics of farmers showed that 71 per cent of the variation in their level of knowledge and 77 per cent of the variation in their perception could be explained by all the selected variables together. The variation in the knowledge score and perception score of the three categories of respondents was also studied. There was significant variation in the knowledge score as well as perception score of traders and extension personnel where as between farmers and traders as well as between traders and extension personnel there was no significant variation. A study on the role of media showed that all the four major dailies studied have covered more on aspects related to production and marketing of spices and a little coverage was given to AoA related aspects. A general analysis of the use of newspapers by the three categories of respondents indicated that majority of respondents subscribing these newspapers fell under high and medium knowledge level and perception category. As the print media has direct impact on the people in a state like Kerala, where newspaper reading is quite high the role of media for better' understanding and awareness about globalization is quite critical. The study, it is believed, would provide deep insight to the stakeholders on farming, on how to enhance their present condition. The content analysis of the four major dailies also could bring out some critical issues related to the coverage of areas about AoA.
Constraints in commercial production of vegetables
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Binoo P Bonny; Prasad, R M
Fertiliser use behaviour of rice farmers of Palakkad and Kannur districts
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1993) Sulaiman, V R; Prasad, R M
To assess the fertiliser use behaviour of rice farmers, a study was carried out at Palakkad and Kannur districts of Kerala state. The study revealed that farmers of Palakkad and Kannur differed significantly with respect to adoption of fertiliser management practices with farmers of Palakkad having a higher level of adoption. It was found that the four variables, knowledge about fertiliser management practices, credit utilisation, attitude towards fertiliser use and area under rice are important in predicting the adoption of fertiliser management practices. Organising short duration training for farmers on integrated nutrient management practices is being recommended for enhancing the adoption of fertiliser management practices in rice.
Role of farm women in the decision making process of a farming community
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1991) Seema, B; Prasad, R M
A study was undertaken among the farm women of Nadar community in Neyyattinkara taluk of Trivandrum district to analyse the role played by them in decision making related to their farm and home. The study revealed that more than 50 per cent of the respondents perceived six areas viz., decisions regarding purchase and sale of land, storage and marketing of produce, care and management of animals, family budget and children's education as very important, whereas decisions regarding plant protection and implements to be used were perceived as not important. Among the 14 areas studied, joint decision were made in purchase and sale of land, care and management of animals and children's education. Independent decisions were made in storage and marketing of produce. Majority of the respondents participated in implementing the decisions, in storage and marketing of produce and care and management of animals.
Training needs of commercial vegetable growers
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Binoo P Bonny; Prasad, R M