Browsing by Author "Sreedaya, G S"

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Constraint analysis of farming on house terrace and disrtibution of grow bags
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Binsa, B; Sreedaya, G S
Ecosystem sevices and livelihood outcomes of urban agriculture : a critical analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2025-03-15) Riza Mathew; Sreedaya, G S
The present study entitled “Ecosystem Services and Livelihood Outcomes of Urban Agriculture: A Critical Analysis” was conducted with the objectives of assessing the nature and scale of urban agriculture in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, assessing the livelihood outcomes of urban agriculture, analyzing ecosystem services, and formulating strategies for scaling up of urban agriculture, along with studying respondents’ urban agriculture characteristics. The study was conducted in 20 purposively selected wards of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the largest urban local body by area and population in Kerala, after consultations with allied departments and residents' associations. The sample included five respondent categories, totaling 390 participants. The first category comprised 200 intensive house terrace and homestead cultivators, with ten respondents randomly selected from 20 selected wards. The second category included 60 urban livestock and poultry farmers, with three respondents randomly selected from each ward. The third category consisted of 60 intensive house terrace and homestead cultivators along with allied activities, with three respondents from each ward. Also, 40 urban non-agricultural practitioners were selected randomly, and 30 policy experts on urban agriculture were selected purposively. The dependent variables of the study were livelihood outcomes and ecosystem services of urban agriculture, which were assessed using developed scale and arbitrary scales, respectively. Livelihood outcomes were evaluated across five dimensions: nutritional security, income generation, health, wellbeing, and recognition. Ecosystem services were measured through environmental and social factors, with environmental factors covering regulating and supporting services, and social factors including provisioning and cultural services. Twenty independent variables were selected to explore respondents' urban agricultural characteristics. Statistical tools used included frequency and percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation, Kruskal-Wallis test, Z-test, ANOVA, chi-square analysis, and correlation analysis. Thematic analysis with intercoder reliability using Cohen’s Kappa was also conducted. The study found that land ownership was high across all categories: 92.00 per cent (Category I), 98.33 per cent (Category II), and 96.67 per cent (Category III). Regarding cultivation area, 68.50 per cent of Category I, cultivated in area of 100-1000 m² and vegetables were the dominant crop with mean value of 0.253, while 96.67 per cent of Category II used less than 100 m² area based on the size of cage/shed with hens showing highest species dominance with mean value of 0.669. More than half of the respondents in Category III (56.67%) cultivated in area of 100-1000 m² with vegetables as the dominant crop with mean value of 0.375, and composting as the most practiced allied activity (63.33%). The study showed that most respondents in Category I (69.50%), Category II (61.67%), and Category III (68.33%) had medium levels of livelihood outcomes. Urban agriculture contributed 5.46 per cent, 7.40 per cent, and 8.86 per cent of household income for Categories I, II, and III, respectively. The analysis of ecosystem services indicated that provisioning services scored highest for all categories: 4.42 for Category I, 4.47 for Category II, and 4.65 for Category III. The study found that most respondents were in middle (39-55 years) and late adulthood (56-71 years). Males comprised 52.00 per cent of Category I, while Category II had more females (58.33%), and 53.33 per cent of Category III were male. Medium-sized families (4-6 members) were common, with 50.00 per cent in Category I, 51.67 per cent in Category II, and 53.33 per cent in Category III. In terms of education, 32.00 per cent of Category I and 50.00 per cent of Category II had completed high school, while 43.33 per cent of Category III were graduates. Urban agriculture was the sole occupation for 40.00 per cent in Category I, 63.33 per cent in Category II, and 26.67 per cent in Category III. Regarding, average monthly household income, most respondents among the categories belonged to the medium category (86.50%, 66.67%, and 58.33% in Category I, II & III respectively). Regarding, adequacy of income, most respondents among the categories belonged to the medium category (64.50%, 58.33%, and 80.00% in Category I, II & III respectively). Medium average monthly food expenditure was reported by 74.00 per cent of Category I, 65.00 per cent of Category II, and 71.67 per cent of Category III. Majority of respondents in Categories I (57.50%) and II (53.33%) had 15-28 years of urban farming experience, while Category III (56.67%) had over 28 years. All respondents among the three categories reported domestic consumption as their main purpose of produce. The most common production modes were house terrace and yard combinations (38.00%) for Category I, poultry farming (55.00%) for Category II, and combination of house terrace and homestead with allied activities (46.67%) for Category III. Medium sufficiency of farm produce was reported by 66.50 per cent of Category I, 68.33 per cent of Category II, and 78.33 per cent of Category III. Direct sales were prevalent among 67.11 per cent of Category I, 88.46 per cent of Category II, and 81.48 per cent of Category III. Family labor utilization was medium for 68.50 per cent in Category I, 63.33 per cent in Category II, and 68.33 per cent in Category III. Medium knowledge levels were shown by 51.50 per cent in Category I, 71.67 per cent in Category II, and 50.00 per cent in Category III. Health consciousness was medium for 62.00 per cent of Category I, 60.00 per cent of Category II, and 61.67 per cent of Category III. High environmental orientation was seen in 37.50 per cent of Category I, while 80.00 per cent of Category II and 48.33 per cent of Category III displayed medium levels. Most respondents relied on scientific knowledge: 55.00 per cent in Category I, 66.67 per cent in Category II, and 60.00 per cent in Category III. Medium extension orientation was noted in 67.50 per cent of Category I, 71.67 per cent of Category II, and 65.00 per cent of Category III, while medium management orientation was seen in 71.00 per cent of Category I, 65.00 per cent of Category II, and 60.00 per cent of Category III. In Category I, the variable rational orientation showed significant association with livelihood outcome of urban agriculture at the 1 per cent level. For ecosystem services, the variable mode of production showed significant at the 5 per cent level. In Category II, the variables occupation and rational orientation were significant at the 5 per cent level for livelihood outcomes. For ecosystem services, rational orientation was significant at the 1 per cent level. In Category III, the variables occupation and rational orientation were significant at the 5 per cent level and mode of production was significant at the 1 per cent level for livelihood outcomes. For ecosystem services mode of production and rational orientation were significant at the 5 per cent level. For livelihood outcomes in Category I, variables such as urban farming experience, family labour, knowledge level, and extension orientation were significant at the 5 per cent level. Purpose of produce, sufficiency of farm produce, environmental orientation, health consciousness, and management orientation were significant at the 1 per cent level. In Category II, the variables such as average monthly household income, urban farming experience, knowledge level, and management orientation were significant at the 5 per cent level, and purpose of produce, sufficiency of farm produce, family labour utilization, environmental orientation, health consciousness, and extension orientation were significant at the 1 per cent level. In Category III, urban farming experience, sufficiency of farm produce, knowledge level, environmental orientation, health consciousness, and extension orientation were significant at the 1 per cent level, with purpose of produce and family labour utilization significant at the 5 per cent level. For ecosystem services, in Category I, urban farming experience, purpose of produce, sufficiency of farm produce, family labour utilization, knowledge level, health consciousness, management orientation, and extension orientation were significant at the 5 per cent level, while environmental orientation was significant at the 1 per cent level. In Category II, purpose of produce, knowledge level, environmental orientation, and health consciousness were significant at the 5 per cent level, while urban farming experience, sufficiency of farm produce, family labor utilization, and extension orientation were significant at the 1 per cent level. In Category III, urban farming experience and sufficiency of farm produce were significant at the 5 per cent level, while purpose of produce, knowledge level, environmental orientation and extension orientation were significant at the 1 per cent level. The study concluded that the majority of respondents experienced a medium level of livelihood outcomes from urban agriculture, with higher perceived ecosystem service benefits. Based on this, urban agriculture can be viewed as an integrated approach that combines technological, social, and ecological measures to address urban challenges. However, limited land access hinders its broader adoption. To overcome this, the adoption and integration of innovative agricultural technologies or models should be pursued judiciously.
Effectiveness of geriatric horticulture therapy (GHT) among the inmates of care home : a case study based action research in Thiruv Anathapuram district
(Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture ,Vellayani, 2024-03-13) Palaparthy Steffi.; Sreedaya, G S
The present study, entitled “Effectiveness of Geriatric Horticultural Therapy (GHT) among the inmates of the care home: A case study based action research in Thiruvananthapuram District,” was conducted with the objective of developing a protocol for geriatric horticultural therapy and studying its impact on the cognitive, psychological, physical, and social well-being of the inmates of the care home”. The study also identified the reasons for joining the care home and the constraints faced by the inmates during their stay at the care home. The study was conducted in pre-test and post-test experimental designs at the government care home in Pulayanarkotta, under the Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala, in Thiruvananthapuram district. This was purposefully selected as the study required the constant physical presence of the researcher, and care home Pulayanarkotta was the only government old age home in Thiruvananthapuram district having facilities for initiating small gardens. Out of the total 158 inmates, 31 who had a history of severe psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia, very significant visual or hearing impairment, major upper and lower limb motor difficulties (bedridden), and suffered from severe medical conditions were excluded from the study. A baseline survey was conducted for the remaining 127 inmates, and a sample of 60 inmates with the highest scores in the baseline survey was selected for this experimental study after obtaining their consent. Pre-intervention data was collected through interview schedules and other secondary sources of data obtained through staff support before and after the intervention. The effectiveness of GHT was measured in terms of the cognitive, psychological, physical, and social well-being of inmates in care homes. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being, the General Activities of Daily Living Scale (GADL), and the Social Well-Being Questionnaire by Jacqueline Radzyk were used to measure cognitive, psychological, physical, and social well-being, respectively. The statistical tools used were frequency, percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, paired t-test, MANOVA, Chi-square, Z-test for proportion, regression analysis, and related samples Wilcoxon signed rank test. In the first phase of the study, a protocol for GHT was developed with a specific list of horticultural therapeutic activities potentially suitable for each observation under the selected 4 dimensions of wellbeing, namely cognitive, psychological, physical, and social well-being of the inmates of the care home. The protocol was developed after the judges' rating and in consultation with the experts of the department of physical health and rehabilitation at Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram and experts from various psychology departments of government colleges in Kerala. The relevancy index of each GHT activity was calculated, and a high relevancy index of activities indicated high content validity. Thus, GHT activities that had a relevancy index of more than 85 percent were selected for protocol development. In addition, those activities suggested by the judges were also included in the protocol. A total of 72 activities under four components were developed as a protocol. The Metabolic Equivalents (MET) score of each activity, which describes the intensity of each of the developed therapeutic activities of the protocol, was also included in the protocol. The activities were finalised in such a way that each of the sub-dimensions contained all three MET categories, namely low, medium, and high. In the second phase, a developed protocol was implemented among the inmates of the care home to assess the effectiveness of GHT on their cognitive, psychological, physical, and social well-being for 15 minutes per participant three times a week for sixteen weeks. Observations were taken before and after the intervention. The inmates were divided into six groups of ten each for easy implementation of the GHT. The results revealed that 46.67 percent of inmates were in the age category of 60–65 years, 65% were female, and the majority (81.67%) of them belonged to the Hindu religion. About 23.33 percent of the inmates had primary and higher secondary educational status, respectively; 51.67 percent were daily labourers; and the majority (88.33%) depended on care homes, i.e., didn’t have any financial support. The majority (86.67%) were widowed, 35% had a single child, and 85% belonged to nuclear families. About 46.67 percent of them joined care homes in less than one year, 61.67 percent had no visitors, and 70 percent of them consumed medicines continuously. The results of the paired t test indicated a significant difference between the cognitive components of inmates in care homes before and after the implementation of GHT. The cognitive components of behaviour were further divided into five components: attention, registration, recalling, orientation, and language. The result of the paired t test of these five subdimensions revealed a significant difference between the pre- and post-scores of the attention component. However, cognitive components such as registration, recalling, orientation, and language did not show any significant changes. Results also showed an association between gender, BP, and MMSE scores, with men having higher BP. There was also an association between gender, MMSE scores, and the presence of diabetes, indicating that more men had diabetes and lower MMSE scores. The results of gender-related variations in MMSE scores and Body Mass Index (BMI) categories showed no significant associations. College Thiruvananthapuram and experts from various psychology departments of government colleges in Kerala. The relevancy index of each GHT activity was calculated, and a high relevancy index of activities indicated high content validity. Thus, GHT activities that had a relevancy index of more than 85 percent were selected for protocol development. In addition, those activities suggested by the judges were also included in the protocol. A total of 72 activities under four components were developed as a protocol. The Metabolic Equivalents (MET) score of each activity, which describes the intensity of each of the developed therapeutic activities of the protocol, was also included in the protocol. The activities were finalised in such a way that each of the sub-dimensions contained all three MET categories, namely low, medium, and high. In the second phase, a developed protocol was implemented among the inmates of the care home to assess the effectiveness of GHT on their cognitive, psychological, physical, and social well-being for 15 minutes per participant three times a week for sixteen weeks. Observations were taken before and after the intervention. The inmates were divided into six groups of ten each for easy implementation of the GHT. Engaging in Geriatric Horticultural Therapy (GHT) offers multifaceted benefits. Activities like plant care and observation of leaves and flowers can enhance individuals' cognitive behaviour. Tending the garden, taking brisk walks, and nurturing plants can have a positive impact on psychological well-being. Participating in GHT activities like walking with roommates, sharing gardening experiences, and teamwork can contribute to improved social well-being. Horticultural therapy is a comprehensive approach that significantly improves the well-being and learning experiences of students. It fosters better concentration, academic performance, and environmental awareness. Additionally, GHT can help alleviate the financial and health-related burdens of stress associated with urbanisation, benefiting individuals and communities by enhancing overall wellbeing, promoting togetherness, reducing stress, and improving mental and physical health.
Effectiveness of microfinance services for agri- enterprise development by the self help groups (SHGs) in kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2023-02-23) Reshma J Murugan; KAU; Sreedaya, G S
The present study entitled “Effectiveness of microfinance services for agro- enterprise development by the Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Kerala” was conducted with the objective to measure the effectiveness of microfinance services and to identify the sustaining as well as the impeding factors of microfinance services for agro- enterprise development by the Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Kerala. The study also measures the impact of microfinance services on the SHGs in terms of buying power, standard of living and propensity to save. The study was conducted in ex-post facto design, in the three purposively selected districts of the three zones of Kerala, namely, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Malappuram. Two blocks, from each of the selected districts, were identified through purposive sampling. Seven SHGs were selected from the selected two blocks of each district, through proportionate random sampling, forming 21 SHGs and ten members were randomly selected from each of these selected SHGs, constituting a sample size of 210 agripreneurs. Officials of Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) supporting agro-enterprise development by SHGs of the three selected districts were also selected by random sampling forming a sample size of 30. Thus a total of 240 respondents from the three districts of Kerala constituted the sample size of the study. The data was collected through pretested interview schedules, focus group discussion, and delphi technique. The statistical tools used were frequency, percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation, factor analysis, correlation ,coefficient, principal component analysis, paired t test, independent samples t test, Garret ranking and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. The effectiveness of microfinance services was the dependent variable and was measured using a scale developed for the purpose. The scale had five dimensions namely; microcredit, micro savings, delivery mechanism, repayment and training & advisory, which were delineated through factor analysis. The impact of microfinance services was measured by agripreneurs’ buying power, standard of living and propensity to save, the procedure developed for the purpose was used. Nineteen independent variables and nine intervening variables were selected after judges rating and relevancy scoring. The results revealed that the microfina nce services were found to be moderately effective for 52.38 per cent of the selected SHGs (11 SHGs) whereas it was found to be highly effective and least effective for 23.81 percent of the SHGs (five SHGs each) under study. An ‘independent samples t test’ conducted, to compare the entrepreneurial characteristics of the respondents of these two extreme categories, revealed that there was a significant difference in their entrepreneurial characteristics. This result indicated that the entrepreneurial abilities of the respondents largely influenced the effectiveness of microfinance services for agro enterprise development than other factors like the nature of agroenterprises which was usually selected through micro screening techniques. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the five sub-dimensions of microfinance services indicated that, the first principal component accounted for the largest percentage variance in the microfinance services effectiveness scores of the SHG agripreneurs was contributed by the sub-dimension viz. ‘microcredit’ followed by ‘micro savings’ and ‘delivery mechanism’. Thus it was deduced that the ‘microcredit’ largely determine the effectiveness of microfinance services followed by the ‘micro savings’ and ‘delivery mechanism’. Impact of microfinance services on the members of SHGs, was measured in terms of buying power, standard of living and propensity to save. The average buying power of the respondents, before and after availing the microfinance services were Rs. 40872 (Forty thousand eight hundred and seventy two) and Rs.79879 (Seventy nine thousand eight hundred and seventy nine) respectively. The standard of living was measured in terms of nine dimensions like ‘employment days’, ‘food consumption pattern’, ‘housing type’, ‘clothing’, ‘health care’, ‘education of children’, ‘assets creation’, ‘hygiene and sanitation’ and ‘recreation’ using the procedure developed for the study. Before the commencement of microfinance services, 34.28 per cent, 41.90 per cent and 23.81per cent of the members of SHGs belonged to low, medium and high standard of living classes respectively, whereas it was 24.28 per cent, 46.19 per cent and 29.52 per cent respectively after availing the microfinance services. The propensity to save was measured in terms of number of ‘savings accounts’, ‘fixed deposit accounts’, ‘recurring deposit accounts’, ‘postal savings accounts’ and ‘chit fund accounts’ of the respondents before and after availing the microfinance services. The result also indicated that out of the different accounts, there was a sharp increase of 28.10 per cent in the ‘chit fund’ accounts of the SHG members after availing the microfinance services. The correlation analysis indicated that among the personal socio psychological characteristics, ‘age’ of the SHG members was negatively and significantly correlated with the effectiveness of microfinance services at five per cent level of significance. The variables such as ‘training received’, ‘deferred gratification’, ‘social capital’ and ‘assertiveness’ were positively and significantly correlated with the effectiveness of microfinance services at one per cent level of significance whereas ‘annual income’, ‘experience with microfinance services’ and ‘information seeking behaviour’ were positively and significantly correlated with the effectiveness of microfinance services at five per cent level of significance. The correlation analysis of the entrepreneurial characteristics of the SHG members and the effectiveness of microfinance services revealed that ‘achievement motivation’, ‘innovativeness’, ‘thrift tendency’, ‘strategic visioning’ and ‘internal locus of control’ were positively and significantly correlated with the effectiveness of microfinance services at one per cent level of significance, whereas ‘economic opportunism’ was positively and significantly correlated with the effectiveness of microfinance services at five per cent level of significance. It was also revealed that more than half of the SHG members (59.05%) were middle aged (35-50), three fourth were women (76.19%) and almost half were falling under high school level of education (47.14%). Majority of the respondents had medium ‘annual income’, ‘training received’, experience with microfinance services’, ‘indebtedness’, ‘deferred gratification’, ‘problem solving ability’, ‘social capital’, ‘assertiveness’, ‘information seeking behaviour’, ‘sense of empowerment’, ‘economic opportunism’, ‘achievement motivation’, ‘innovativeness’, ‘thrift tendency’, ‘strategic visioning’ and ‘internal locus of control’. The intervening variable group dynamics was measured using group characteristics namely, ‘group cohesion’, ‘adherence to group norms’, ‘group leadership’, ‘group interaction’, ‘team work’, ‘transparency’, ‘group achievement’, ‘decision making procedure’ and ‘need satisfaction’. Based on the group dynamics index, majority of the SHGs (66.67%) maintain medium ‘group dynamics’ followed by less (19.05%) and high (14.29%). There was a positive and significant correlation between the group dynamics and the effectiveness of microfinance services at one per cent level of significance. The inventorisation of Micro Finance Institutions in the three districts was done from the microfinance officials selected for the study and from the lead banks of the respective districts. It was observed in the study that the finance for SHGs were prominently provided by nationalized banks and Regional Rural Banks, even though there exist other options like small finance banks, private banks etc. The sustaining and impeding factors of microfinance services as perceived by the agripreneurs were identified through Delphi technique and its ranking was done through garette ranking. The sustaining factors identified were lower interest rate compared to other sources of finance (65.79), lack of collateral security (62.23), timely finance assistance for enterprise development (58.22), opportunity to self-employment (55.90), attainment of additional skills (41.27), easily available services (39.81) and less paper work on availing loans (39.10) and these were ranked from first to seventh positions respectively by agripreneurs. Inadequacy of loan amount (76.86) was the major impeding factor identified. Insensitivity of MFIs to the type of enterprises, business cycle and clients’ social economical and personal circumstances (65.90) was the next major impeding factor. The other factors viz., difficulty in maintaining group cohesion (53.66), unfair attitude of the officials involved in microfinance (51.38), failure to treat clients as individuals in repayment (47.58) and pressure of weekly repayments and savings (47.00) were ranked third, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. The least ranked impeding factors were high transactions cost of microfinance services (32.06) and savings could be spent in repaying of loans of defaulters (24.49). The sustaining factors of microfinance services as perceived by officials were economic empowerment (68.30), creation of employment opportunities (67.70), women empowerment (66.50), rural upliftment (51.57), increased household income (44.63), better standard of living (42.63), creation of assets (32.30) and less number of borrowers falling in debt traps (26.37) and were ranked from first to eighth rank respectively. The study exposed that the major impeding factors as perceived by micro finance officials were defaults in repayments (67.40), over borrowing (66.60) and multiple lending (66.17), diversion of loan money to unproductive activities (65.37), poor adherence to rules and regulations (46.57), poor sustainability of SHGs (43.57), anticipation of SHGs in the writing off the loan amount by the MFIs (40.80), lack of product diversification (39.87), Lack of financial literacy (34.73) and lack of research and development (31.00) and these were ranked from first to tenth rank respectively. The suggestions for improving the microfinance services were collected from the agripreneurs and were ranked by Kendal’s coefficient of concordance. Restructure of loan repayment including fixation of payback period and provision of grace period for certain entrepreneurial activities (1.31), fixation of EMIs based on business cycle/season (2.31), release of loan as per client demand (4.05), lower interest rate for loans (4.26), more skill oriented trainings for SHGs (4.48), timely and quick disbursement of loans (4.90), providing trainings on management and marketing skills (7.00), high interest rate for deposits of SHGs (7.69), mutual support of SHGs in product marketing (9.42), MFIs should ensure the clients’ ‘rights’ to know regarding all the procedures and acts in microfinance services (9.58) and for innovative products, the risks of entrepreneurs should be taken into account by the officials (11.00) were ranked from first to eleventh positions respectively. The suggestions for improving the microfinance services were collected from the officials of MFIs and were ranked by Kendal’s coefficient of concordance. Proper utilisation of loan amount (1.97), eliminating the practice of multiple borrowing (2.00), ensuring better performance of SHGs by the utilization of advanced technologies (2.03), availing benefits of all the available Government schemes (4.97), federation of SHGs (5.00), capacity building (5.03), awareness creation on financial planning (7.97), enhancement of the social capital (8.34), digitisation of records (8.72) and market survey before commencement of the enterprise (8.97) were the suggestions ranked from first to tenth positions respectively. The study revealed that the microfinance services were found to be more effective for SHG members having good entrepreneurial characteristics and group dynamics. The nature of enterprise was crucial only for certain enterprises, as most of the enterprises were selected by micro screening techniques. The microfinance services had a positive impact on buying power, standard of living in terms of health, hygiene and sanitation, education, recreational facilities and the propensity to save. The major impeding factor was inadequate loan amount and insensitivity of microfinance services to nature of enterprises and business cycle. Interestingly, study revealed that the rate of the possession of assets like smart phone, television, refrigerator and vehicle was more compared to washing machine and grinder which revealed that though microfinance services play a pivotal role in the women empowerment and gender equity, the drudgery of women is still to be addressed. The study recommends financial literacy programmes and establishment of business schools for youth to develop their entrepreneurial traits. The commercial banks need to train members of SHGs on proper financial management. Strong Governmental intervention in private chit funds is required to protect the members of SHGs from exploitation as they preferred chit funds than any other saving methods after availing microfinance services.
Efficiency of Rajphos compacted with mono-ammonium phosphate or single super phosphate for growth and yield of rice
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2003) Sunderasan Nair, C; Sreedaya, G S; Sarada, S; Bindhu, J S; Vyas, N G
Evaluation of village stay module of rural agricultural work experience programme (RAWEP): The case of college of agriculture,Vellayani
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Sreenath, P; Sreedaya, G S
Group characteristics of self help groups
(Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikara, 2001) Sreedaya, G S; Kumari Sushama, N P; Mothilal Nehru, S
Impact analysis of "finishing school programmes on VHSE (agri.)" by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU)
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Karishma Zen; Sreedaya, G S
Impact assessment of LEADS in Kollam and Palakkad districts:A comparative analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Preethu K Paul; Sreedaya, G S
The present study entitled “Impact Assessment of LEADS in Kollam and Palakkad district: A Comparative Analysis” was conducted in five panchayats of Kollam and five panchayats of Palakkad district. The study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the impact of LEADS in terms of its relevance, efficiency and scale of social capital formation in Kollam and Palakkad districts and to study the perception of extension officials, lead and satellite farmers regarding the effectiveness in implementation of LEADS. LEADS is the Lead Farmer Centered Extension Advisory and Delivery Services (LEADS) which is based on the concept of frontier extension system revolving around lead farmer – satellite farmer on an Agro Ecological Zone basis within a district. In each Panchayat, there are three lead farmers and each of the lead farmers are surrounded by 10 satellite farmers. Therefore, altogether 33 farmers constitute a LEADS group in a panchayat. In the present study, from each of the panchayat, three lead farmers, six satellite farmers and three implementing officials were selected, constituting 30 lead farmers, 60 satellite farmers and 30 implementing officials respectively. Thus a total of 120 respondents were included for the study. A well-structured interview schedule was employed for data collection from the respondents. Three dependent variables and ten independent variables were studied and analyzed with the help of different statistical tools like mean, quartile deviation, frequency, percentage, correlation, ANOVA, and spearman’s rank order correlation. Impact assessment of LEADS was done by assessing the impact in terms of its relevance and efficiency and scale of social capital formation. Impact created by LEADS in Kollam and Palakkad was assessed and compared by using an impact assessment tool – ‘MAPP technology’. Relevance and efficiency components of LEADS was found more in Kollam district than in Palakkad district as the developmental interventions were properly implemented in Kollam district. World bank SOCAT tool was used to measure the scale of social capital formation. On analyzing the data, the social capital formation was found higher in Kollam district than that of Palakkad district. Perception of lead, satellite farmers and officials regarding the effectiveness in implementing LEADS was found higher in Kollam district than in Palakkad district. The profile characteristics of the farmers such as age, education, information source utilization, extension agency contact, innovation proneness, social participation, decision making capacity, and market orientation showed a positive and significant correlation with the scale of social capital formation in Kollam district whereas in Palakkad district, farming experience, innovation proneness, decision making capacity and market orientation showed a positive and significant correlation with the social capital formation. The profile characteristics of the farmers such as age, occupation, information source utilization, innovation proneness and market orientation showed a positive and significant association with the perception of lead farmers in Kollam district whereas in Palakkad district, innovation proneness and market orientation showed a positive and significant association with the dependent variable. The profile characteristics of farmers such as education, extension agency contact, social participation and decision making capacity showed a positive and significant association with the perception of satellite farmers in Kollam district whereas in Palakkad district, occupation, innovation proneness and decision making capacity showed a positive and significant association with the dependent variable. The farmers of Kollam district felt that ‘lack of coordination among line departments in providing service to the farmers’ is the major constraint while the farmers of the Palakkad district opined that ‘lack of usefulness of farmer oriented activities such as field visit and demonstrations’ is the major constraint. ‘Cooperation from the farmer groups’ was the major suggestion given by the officials of both the districts. Scaling up of LEADS project to crops other than paddy, banana, coconut and vegetables was the most important suggestion made by the farmers of both Kollam and Palakkad districts. It can be concluded that LEADS had created an impact among the farmers in terms of its relevance, efficiency and social capital formation. Coordinated efforts of line departments especially in conducting farmer oriented activities can create a positive impact among lead farmers.
Livelihood security assessment of women agripreneurs of self help groups (SHGs) in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Hridya, S; Sreedaya, G S
Multidimensional analysis of awardee farmers of department of agriculture development and farmers welfare in southern Kerala
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2020) Reshma, R S; Sreedaya, G 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 analysis of self help groups (SHGs) and Swasraya karshaka samithis (SKSs) on farm entrepreneurship in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2016) Suma Rose Sundaran; Sreedaya, G S
The present study entitled “Performance analysis of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Swasraya Karshaka Samithis (SKSs) on farm entrepreneurship in Thiruvananthapuram district” was conducted in six blocks of Thiruvananthapuram district with the objective of analyzing the performance of the SHGs in terms of managerial efficiency and sustainability of enterprises, to study the marketing efficiency of SKSs and to compare the men and women SHGs. The role of extension functionaries in farm entrepreneurship was also studied.
Performance analysis of the self help groups in vegetable production in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2000) Sreedaya, G S; Kumari Sushama, N P
The study was carried out in Thiruvananthapuram District. of Kerala among the six selected self help groups, 3 each from KHDP and IVDP. The study aimed to analyse the group characteristics of self help groups, planning, production and marketing aspects of vegetables, extent of adoption of recommended practices with regard to vegetables, constraints faced by the farmers of SHGs and to analyse the perception of officials about SHGs. The respondents consisted of 120 farmers selected from SIX Panchayaths namely Kalliyoor, Venganoor & Vembayam under KHDP and Anad, Pothencode & Sreekaryam under IVDP. The second category of respondents included extension personnel of KHDP and IVDP who were actively associated with vegetable production. The dependent variable for the study were group characteristics, planning, production & marketing aspects of vegetables & extent of adoption of recommended practices. The independent variables included the personal, socio-pshychological characteristics of farmers. The correlation analysis was done to find out the relationship between the independent variables and all the dependent variables and also between the ,- dependent variables. To compare the groups under KHDP and IVDP 't' test was done, which revealed that there existed significantance difference between these groups with respect to annual income, farm size, credit orientation, market perception, knowledge in vegetable cultivation, group cohesion, group leadership, need satisfaction, team spirit and equity. The major constraint felt by KHDP SHGs was marketing through field centres where as IVDP SHGs faces planning, production, marketing and organizational constraints. The analysis of the perception of officials about SHGs revealed that all of them had fairly high perception about SHGs.
Performance analysis of VHSE agricultural teachers in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2019) Chhanda charana mahananda; Sreedaya, G S
The present study entitled "Performance analysis of VHSE Agricultural Teachers in Kerala" was conducted in three zones of Kerala during the academic year 2017-2019 to know the personal, socio-psychological characteristics of VHSE Teachers and organizational characteristics of VHSE, to analyze their job perception & job performance, to find out the relationship between their personal, socio-psychological characteristics and organizational characteristics of VHSE teachers with their job perception and job performance level, to identify the problems while performing their job and to suggest the effective teaching strategies of VHSE system. The study was conducted among selected 120 VHSE agricultural teachers from three zones of Kerala namely, Northern zone, Central zone and Southern zone. A structured interview schedule was prepared for data collection concerning the objectives of the study and statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, correlation and factor analysis were used. The results of the study revealed that majority of the teachers (95.83%) belonged to the middle age group category and 72.5 per cent of them were females. More than half (56%) of the teachers belonged to the rural background and 59.17 per cent of teachers were having a master's educational qualification. Furthermore, 49 per cent of the teachers have low (<6 lakhs) annual income and majority of the teachers (76%) belonged to the average (8-14 years) job experience category. However, more than half (55.83%) of teachers belonged to a low-trained (3-13 days) group, 50.83 per cent of the teachers were under medium information-seeking behaviour, 43 per cent had a high workload perspective, more than half (60.83%) of teachers had a medium achievement motivation and majority of the teachers (81.67%) were under a high scientific orientation category. It was also observed that 66.67 per cent of teachers had the most favorable attitude towards their job, 81.67 per cent and 72.50 per cent of teachers belonged to high organizational commitment and medium job involvement category respectively. It was also observed that 60 per cent of the teachers felt that their schools had a good organizational climate. The study revealed that 95 per cent of teachers had high job perception and half of the teachers (50%) had high level of job performance. The factor analysis of job perception revealed that seven factors (69.55% cumulative variance) contributing to the job perception of teachers namely; academic role, motivational role, management by objective (MBO), management information system (MIS), career counselling, readiness to support others and extra-curricular activities. Factor analysis also revealed that three factors (62.21% cumulative variance) contributing to the job performance were teaching skill, communication skill, and knowledge management. The results of the correlation analysis revealed that training and scientific orientation had a positive and significant correlation with job perception at 5% level of significance whereas workload was negatively correlated at 1% level of significance. Likewise, training and scientific orientation had a positive and significant relationship with job performance at 1% and organizational climate at 5% level of significance. Age on the other hand had a negative correlation with job performance at 5% level of significance. The major problems encountered by the teachers were low academic profile of the students (Rank 1), lack of practical oriented capacity building programmes (Rank 2), lack of opportunities for students to interact with farm communities and agripreneurs (Rank3), lack of curriculum as per the requirements of agriculture scenario of Kerala and job opportunities (Rank 4). The suggestions by teachers for the effective teaching strategies include awareness creation among public, students and parents about VHSE and its scope, conduct capacity building programmes to the teachers for upgradation of knowledge and information, providing various kinds of training, curriculum amendment, providing good infrastructural facilities and accommodation to teachers, organizing entrepreneurship development programme, regular conduct of monthly conferences and meetings, providing internet facilities and adequate library facilities. The study suggests an effective teaching strategy for VHSE teachers of Kerala through their better job perception and job performance which could be achieved by creating more awareness about their academic and motivational roles, efficient management by objective (MBO) and management information system (MIS), career counselling to students, more involvement of teachers in extracurricular activities and readiness to support each other. The study also suggesting the need for capacity building programmes to VHSE teachers to enhance their communication skill, teaching skill and knowledge management skill to improve their job performance.
Promotion of terrace cultivation of vegetables by urban housewives- an action research
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Sreedaya, G S; Padmanabhan, V B
Revitalization of agricultural technology management agency (ATMA)
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Rubeena, A; Sreedaya, G S
The present study entitled “Revitalization of Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA): A comparative study in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam districts of Kerala” was carried out at the Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani. The study aimed at comparing the implementation of revitalized ATMA activities in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam districts with a view to suggest measures for further improvement. Since the study is participatory with multi-stakeholder involvement, four classes of stakeholders of ATMA were chosen as respondents namely implementing officials, members of decision making authorities, farmers and NGO and private partners from each district. Multistage random sampling was employed for the study. On analysis of data, it was found that for each category of respondents, the perception about the implementation of ATMA activities was highly positive and significantly higher in Kottayam district than that in Thiruvananthapuram district. Perception about implementation of ATMA was measured in terms of ten dimensions and it was found that almost all dimensions are found to be positive and significantly higher in Kottayam district than in Thiruvananthapuram district. Regarding impact parameters, around 50 per cent farmer respondents expressed that „productivity‟ of banana and vegetable showed 26-50 per cent improvement in both the districts after exposure to ATMA. „Connectivity‟ among the farmers has improved as a result of their participation in farmer oriented activities such as exposure visits, trainings, demonstrations and farm schools in both the districts. The profile characteristics of farmers such as economic motivation, extension contact, extension participation, number of trainings undergone showed positive and significant association with perception about the implementation of ATMA in Kottayam district whereas in Thiruvananthapuram district, age and economic motivation were associated significantly to the dependent variable. The farmers of both the districts felt that „ lack of coordination of line departments in providing service to the farmers‟ was the major constraint in the implementation of ATMA. „Assigning definite role and responsibility to the implementing officers‟ was the most important suggestion of officials in both the districts. „ATMA activities are to be planned in consultation with farmers‟ and „need of regular monitoring of ATMA‟ were the most important suggestions made by the farmers of Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, respectively. ATMA should enable the Research and Extension systems to become more dynamic and responsive to solving farmers‟ problems. Besides increasing the financial sustainability of the public extension system, new partnerships with private sector and better coordination among the line departments must also be fostered to ensure that the agricultural sector becomes vibrant and innovation-driven.
Social capital formation through farm woman groups in vegetable production in Kollam district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2015) Revathy Chandran; Sreedaya, G S
The study entitled ‘Social capital formation through farm women groups in vegetable production in Kollam district’ was conducted in six panchayaths of Kollam district . The total number of respondents were 120 which included both farm women and extension facilitators. The main objectives of the study was to assess the scale of social capital formation, group efficiency, perception of farm women and extension facilitators regarding the group processes, constraints experienced by farm women in group process and comparing the efficiency of farming by individuals and by groups.
Social dynamics of urban agriculture (UA): a critical analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture,Vellayani, 2023-05-08) Archana T , Shaji; Sreedaya, G S
The study entitled “Social Dynamics of urban agriculture (UA): A critical analysis’’ was conducted during the year 2021-2022. The main objective of the study was to find the subjective well-being (SWB) formed among urban farmers, the motivational patterns of people involved in UA, nature and spatial typology of UA, delineating existing models of marketing and urban farmers perception regarding the marketing models. The research design used for the study was ex post facto design. Locale of study was Thiruvanthapuram, Kollam and Kochi Corporation, most urbanized areas in southern Kerala. Thirty farmers who were actively involved in urban agriculture practices were purposively selected from each corporation constituting a sample of ninety farmers. Ten officials were also purposively selected from three districts for data collection, thus comprising a total sample size of 120. SWB of urban farmers was the dependent variable of the study and was measured by developing Subjective well-being index using life satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect. Motivational patterns were measured using methodology followed by Othman et al.(2019). Twelve independent variables also studied. The statistical tools used for the study includes frequency, standard deviation, percentage analysis, correlation, chi-square analysis, Kruskal-wallis test, Principal component analysis, anova and t-Test. Regarding nature and spatial typology the main type of urban agriculture practice was rooftops farming in grow bags and container (43.33 %). The main combination of crops cultivated was of solanaceous, legume, crucifers and leafy vegetables combination was cultivated by 20 per cent of farmers. The result indicated that majority of the urban farmers (46.67 %) have medium level of subjective well-being and 27.78 per cent of respondents have high level of SWB, only 25.56 per cent farmers belonged to low SWB category. Kruskal-wallis test was used to compare the difference among subjective well-being formed among different corporations and farmers practicing different typologies of UA. The result revealed that there was not much significance difference between SWB formed among urban farmers of different categories. Urban farming experience, annual income, health consciousness, scientific orientation, environmental orientation, innovativeness and social capital had significantly positive relation with subjective well-being. PCA results indicated that main motivational factor influencing farmers for practicing urban agriculture was physical and health factor. Age of urban farmers had a significant relationship with social factor, health and environmental factors of motivational pattern. Income of urban farmers didn’t have any significant relationship with their motivational patterns.The gender of the farmers had significant relationship with environmental and economic factors. The most common model of marketing among urban farmers was combination of direct and indirect marketing (42.25 %) followed by direct (39.44 %). Regarding the farmers perception about marketing models, 94.45 per cent urban farmers were aware about marketing models while only 61.11 per cent urban farmers were willing to sell their extra produce through the channels. Most of the farmers (54.44 %) didn’t face any difficulty in selling their produce and only 47.78 per cent urban farmers were aware of strategies for marketing produce. The main constraint in selling produce by farmers were, the quantity of produced were less to make it marketable, the high level of competition from other conventional farmers and not getting remunerative prices for their produce. To conclude majority of urban farmers had medium level of subjective wellbeing (46.67 %). The main motivating factors encouraging urban people to practice the UA were health, environmental and social factor. Most of the farmers are engaged in UA for producing vegetables and fruits for their own consumption, only the extra produce are marketed. The market access is not a problem for the respondents. The issue of low supply of produce can be solved through group farming and marketing and fair price can be ensured by selling commodities through direct marketing. The main problem in enhancing food production through UA is the limited land availability. Therefore, it is recommended that through the use of new technologies and conversion of fallow land to cultivable land UA can be scaled up.
Techno - socio economic analysis of house terrace cultivation in Thiruvananthapuram corporation
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2017) Greeshma Udayan; Sreedaya, G S