Browsing by Author "Shilaja, S"

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Effect of weight of suckers of nendran banana on plant growth and yield
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1978) Nayar, N K; Balakrishnan, S; Shilaja, S
Entrepreneurial behaviour of rural women in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Jayalekshmi, G; Shilaja, S
The present study under the title ''Entrepreneurial behaviour of rural women in Thiruvananthapuram district was undertaken to assess the entrepreneurial behaviour of rural women to study the personal and sociopsychological factors influencing entrepreneurial behaviour and the constraints experienced by the rural women in starting an enterprise. Rural women trained in mushroom cultivation and fruit and vegetable preservation were selected from College of Agriculture, Vellayani and Mitraniketan Vellanad. Thirty rural women each were selected from each centre for each enterprise. Thus 120 trained rural women were selected. Another 60 untrained rural women were also selected as control. Thus the total sample comprised of 180 with five groups of respondents. Data was collected using interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of data. An entrepreneurial development index was developed and found that the factors such as economic motivation, risktaking ability, decision making ability, achievement motivation, management orientation, competition orientation and self confidence were the major dimensions of entrepreneurial behaviour. With regard to the profile of rural women, the rural women selected, both trained and untrained belonged to young age group and majority of them belonged to backward caste. Educational status and family educational status of the selected respondents were high school and above. More than 50 per cent of them have land holding ranging from 15-20 cents and annual income between Rs.15000-20000. More than 55 per cent of the rural women have taken up self employment. Above 50 per cent of the rural women have high information seeking behaviour, mass media contact, social participation, level of aspiration and attitude towards self employment. Majority of the rural women have low cosmopoliteness. Cent per cent of the trained rural women have high knowledge of the technology. Except rural women in group II & V all others have high entrepreneurial behaviour. Comparison of the five groups revealed that they were on par with respect to age, landholding, annual income and social participation. Majority of the trained rural women belonged to backward caste and untrained belonged to scheduled caste. The trained rural women differed significantly with the untrained in their educational status, family educational status, occupation, information seeking behavior and perceived knowledge of the technology. There was significant difference among the groups with respect to mass media contact, level of aspiration, cosmopoliteness and entrepreneurial behavior. Relationship of the personal and socio-psychological factors with the entrepreneurial behavior showed that in the case of group I, variables namely educational status of the family, information seeking behavior, mass media contact, level of aspiration, attitude towards self employment and perceived knowledge of the technology were positively and significantly correlated. In the case of group II, caste educational status of the respondents and family, information seeking behavior, mass media contact, social participation, level of aspiration, cosmopoliteness, attitude towards self employment and perceived knowledge of the technology were positively and significantly correlated with the entrepreneurial behavior. Only educational status of the family was found to have a positive and significant relationship with the entrepreneurial behavior of group III. In the case of group IV, caste, educational status of the respondent and family, annual income, information seeking behavior, mass media contact, cosmopoliteness, level of aspiration, attitude towards self employment and perceived knowledge of the technology were positively and significantly correlated with the entrepreneurial behaviour. In the case of group V a positive and significant relationship exists between entrepreneurial behavior and educational status of the respondent and family, annual income, information seeking behavior, mass media contact, social participation, cosmopoliteness, attitude towards self employment and perceived knowledge of the technology. With regard to the constraints experienced by the rural women, ‘Marketing problem and lack of financial assistance were the constraints in both the enterprises followed by non-availability of spawn in mushroom cultivation and high cost of fruits in fruit and vegetable preservation.
Factors influencing entrepreneurial behaviour of rural women
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1999) Jayalekshmi, G; Shilaja, S; Shobhana, G
Gender analysis of rice farmers in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Haema Latha, S; Shilaja, S
Influence of leaders in the development of rural areas
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1981) Shilaja, S; Tampi, A M
Multidimensional analysis of agricultural development programmes implemented through people`s plan
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1999) Santhosh Kumar, K P; Shilaja, S
Performance effectiveness of Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee programme in Palakkad District (MGNREGP).
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2011) Lawrence Prabu, C; Shilaja, S
Profile analysis of coconut climbers in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Sakeer Husain, A; Shilaja, S
The study, “Profile of coconut climbers in Thiruvananthapuram district “ was carried out with the following specific objectives. 1. To assess the availability of labour for coconut climbing as perceived by the coconut farmers. 2. To analyse the socio-psychological and economic profile of agricultural labourers engaged in coconut climbing. 3. To study the employment and wage pattern of coconut climbers. 4. To identify the constraints experienced by the coconut climbers with a view to suggest welfare measures, if any The study was confined to Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state. The total number of respondents for the study was 100 coconut farmers and 100 coconut climbers. Coconut farmers were selected using random sampling technique and the coconut climbers were selected using key informant technique. The study revealed that 52 per cent of the coconut farmers perceived the availability of coconut climbers as more than sufficient and 48 per cent perceived the availability of coconut climbers is not sufficient to meet their requirements. Majority of coconut climbers came under middle aged group with an average age of 38. More than 75 per cent of the climbers belonged to scheduled castes. Majority of the climbers had nuclear families with a family size of less than 5 members. On an average, the family educational status of the respondent was at primary school level. A great majority of them had a farm size of 6-15 cents, with low housing facilities. The experience of majority of climbers in their profession was found to be upto 15 years. There was some mobility of labour among coconut climbers. However, 55n per cent of them had low occupational mobility. The coconut climbers selected for the study had an average family annual income of Rs. 25055 and an average family expenditure of Rs. 23317. Even though their average savings was found to be Rs. 2483 per year majority of them saved only less than this amount. Similarly, a great majority of the climbers had indebtedness of only less than the average indebtedness of Rs. 668 in a year. Majority of the coconut climbers studied were having low political participation, low social participation, low economic motivation, low achievement motivation and low level of aspiration. On other hand, they had high cosmopolite orientation, high risk preference and possessed only less amount of traditional values related to agriculture. The attitude of the coconut climbers towards their profession was found to be favourable. Majority of the respondent climbers had only a limited knowledge about P.P measures in coconut. Similarly, they had only a very low awareness and utilization of welfare programmes. It was also found that, on an average, the coconut climbers were employed for 218 days in an year, with 164 days in coconut climbing. They received maximum number of days of employment during the month of March, May and February. The daily average wage rate of coconut climbers was Rs. 82.30 with a monthly income of Rs. 1496. They earned higher income during May, followed by March, February and April. Among the various constraints, ‘After attaining a certain age, even before becoming old, one cannot climb the palms’ and ‘No fixed income during rainy season’ were perceived by the coconut climbers as their major constraints.
Role of farm women in mixed farming
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1994) Shilaja, S; Jayaramaiah, K M
A study was conducted in Kollam and Kannur districts of Kerala to understand the role of farm women in mixed farming. Farm women often performed roles like kitchen gardening, post harvest operation and management and care of animals. Women agricultural labourers often performed field oriented task. They always participated in taking decisions in areas like seed selection, storage of pnxiuce, choice of crops, care and management of animals and number of animals to be maintained
Social cost benefit analysis in vegetable production programmes in Kerala through praticipatory approach
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2002) Sindhu Sadanandan; Shilaja, S
The present study 'Social Cost Benefit Analysis in Vegetable Production Programmes in Kerala through participatory approach' was aimed to analyse the Social costs and Social benefits of vegetable production programmes with special reference to KHDP and IVDP implemented through SHGs and to suggest a strategy for effective SCBA in Agricultural Development Programme to be implemented under people's plan. In; ~ line with the objectives of the study, three categories of respondents viz. farmers, scientists and extension experts were included in the study. To select farmers, multistage random sampling procedure was used. The study was conduc~d in three districts viz Thiruvananthapuram district from southern zone, Thrissur district from central zone and Malappuram district from Northern zone. Six taluks from three districts (two taluks from each district), twelve panchayats from six taluks (two panchayat from each taluk), and from each panchayat one SHG under KHDP and one SHG under IVDP were selected, thus constituting a total of 24 SHGs. From each SHG fifteen farmers were selected. Thus the total number of farmers selected was 360. Secondly, ten scientists, ten extension experts and ten progressive farmers each who are actively associated with the vegetable production programmes were randomly selected to delineate the dimensions of social cost and social benefit. Thus, totally 420 respondents were included in the study. The data were collected using a well-structured pre-tested interview schedule. Statistical techniques such as mean, percentage analysis, correlation, Principal Component Analysis and '1' test were used to analyse the data. Six dimensions of social cost VIZ. perishability, conversion of paddy land, displacement of agricultural labourers, exploitation by middlemen, time constraint and involvement at the cost of education and eight dimensions of social benefit viz. family labour utilization, increased living standard, self confidence, dignity of farmers, equity, satisfaction, sociability and knowledge in vegetable cultivation were delineated using Nominal Group Technique and Policy Delphi Technique and these dimensions formed the dependent variables of the study. Dimensions, exploitation by middlemen, displacement of agricultural labourers and time constraint among social costs and dignity of farmers, sociability, satisfaction and self confidence among social benefits contributed higher magnitude of variation. Among the selected three districts, Thrissur district had the maximum Benefit Cost ratio in case of KHDP as well as IVDP. Malappuram district had the maximum percentage of respondents who had experienced maximum social costs and least social benefits where as Thrissur district has the maximum percentage of respondents who had experiencel.maximum social benefits and least social costs. The study also revealed that the two group members (KHDP and IVDP) significantly differ with respect to independent variables namely experience in commercial vegetable production, risk orientation, management orientation, market perception, extension orientation, group cohesion, credit orientation and lack of marketing and storage facilities, dimensions of social cost such as conversion of paddy land, exploitation by middlemen and dimensions of social benefit viz. increased living standard, equity and knowledge III vegetable production. Based on the results of the study, a strategy IS suggested for effective SCBA in ADP to be implemented under people's plan.
Techno- socio- economic assessment of farmers practices in the cultivation of cowpea in Thiruvanathapuram district
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Manjjusha, A R; Shilaja, S
The study aimed at assessing the socio-economic and technical aspects of the farmers' prac- tices in the cultivation of cowpea as perceived by the researchers, extension personnel and the farmers. The study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala State. On the basis of dis- cussion with experts, researchers, extension personnel and people's representatives in the district, Kalliyoor panchayat was selected as the locale of the study which is the prominent vegetable cultivat- ing area in the district. Two sets of respondents were selected for the study. Forty practising farmers cultivating cow pea was included as the respondents of the first category. Fifty extension officials and agricultural scientists working with sufficient experience in extension or research related to the culti- vation of cowpea was selected as the second category of respondents. The dependent variables of the study were knowledge of farmers about the recommended practices and extent of adoption of farmers' practices. These dependent variables were quantified us- ing measurement devices developed for the study. Fifteen independent variables were selected for the study which included age, education, main occupation, farming experience, annual income, area under cowpea, exposure to information sources, irrigation index, social participation, extension orientation, economic motivation, innovativeness, cosmopoliteness, credit orientation, risk orientation, participation in PTD and perception about PTD. All these independent variables were quantified with the help of available measurement procedures. For assessing scientifically the socio-economic and technical aspects of the farmers' practices identi- fied, matrix ranking was adopted. The data were collected using both non-participant observation technique and a pre-tested structured interview schedule prepared for the purpose. Different statistical tools like mean, percentage analysis, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and step- ) wise regression analysis were used to analyse the data. I'" The study revealed 57 farmers' practices in the cultivation of cowpea. The practices 'applica- tion of neemcake, groundnut cake and bonemeal twenty days after sowing', 'spraying neemoil ernul- sion against American Serpentine Leaf Miner' and 'ploughing the land after adding lime' registered the highest techno-socio-economic indices. The practices 'drying of pods for four to six days', 'application of neem cake, groundnut cake and bonemeal twenty days after sowing' and 'basal application of cattle -;- manure or poultry manure' were considered by the farmers as most efficient. But researchers and extension personnel considered the practices 'basal application of cattle manure or poultry manure', 'drying of pods for four to six days' and 'application of poultry manure ten days after sowing' as most efficient. About 48 per cent of farmers belonged to the low knowledge category and 40 per cent possessed high knowledge about the selected recommended practices. 'Sowing after first week of June is the most suitable time', 'ploughing the land thoroughly two to three times to remove weeds and stubbles' and 'hoeing at the time of application of second dose of nitrogen' were the most known practices to cent per- cent of the farmers selected for the study purpose. About 53 per cent of the farmers belonged to the low adoption category and 38 per cent of the farmers were in the high category with respect to adoption of efficient farmers' practices. 'Drying of pods for four to six days' was the practice adopted by majority of the farmers in this area. Twelve practices out of eighteen were adopted by more than 50 per cent of the farmers. With regard to relationship of knowledge with selected independent variables, variables viz., education, annual income, exposure to information sources, so- cial participation, extension orientation, cosmopoliteness and risk orientation were found to have sig- nificant and positve relationship with knowledge of recommended practices. Extent of adopion of efficient farmers' practices was related positively and significantly with five independent variables viz., education, exposure to information sources, social participation, extension orientation and knowl- edge about recommended practices. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that about 71 per cent of the variation in knowledge and 61.77 per cent of the variation in extent of adoption were explained by the selected independent variables. Step-wise regression analysis revealed that of the 71 per cent of the variation in knowledge, 47 per cent was contributed by exposure to information sources alone, about 6.0 per cent by the variable age and remaining by all the other independent variables. Incidence of pests and diseases, labout scarcity and uneven production were the major production constraints experienced by majority of the respondents and high labour charges, high cost of material inputs and price fluctuation of the produce were the major economic constraints.