PhD Thesis

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End date: 2009Subject: search.filters.subject.Agricultural Extension

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    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
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    Cause-consequence analysis of conversion of paddy fields in Kuttanad
    (Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2002) Mercykutty, M J; Rajan Karippai, S
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    Dynamics of co-ordination for agricultural developement in the context of democratic decentralisation
    (Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Sunil Kumar Roy; Joy Mathew
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    Development of spatial crop suitability model through participatory and integrated land evaluation for sustainable agriculture
    (Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2004) Abdul Samad, K; Kumari Sushama, N P
    The study was carried out with the objective of developing a ‘spatial crop suitability model’ through participatory and integrated land evaluation approach in a selected watershed with diversified agro-ecological situation and to evaluate the response of Agricultural Officers towards land evaluation for sustainable agriculture development. Besides, the utility of the model as perceived by the farmers was also studied. The locale of the study was Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala with all the Agricultural Officers working in the district as respondents for studying their response towards land evaluation. A selected watershed area namely ‘Aruvipuram watershed’ of 3109.12 hectares within Neyyar river basin having diverse agro-ecological situation was identified for developing the spatial crop suitability model and 30 progressive farmers of the selected watershed area was used as respondents for studying the perceived utility of the spatial crop suitability model. The dependent variables were awareness, knowledge and attitude. The selected 17 profile characteristics of Agricultural Officers formed the independent variables. The most important biophysical and socio-economic factors of land evaluation for the study were identified using Pusa rank sheet for Q-sort through ranking by selected judges. Primary spatial data base of biophysical factors were generated using secondary data, remote sensing data and ground truth. Participatory land evaluation of biophysical factors were carried out through Participatory Appraisal of Natural Resources (PANR). Integrated land evaluation was fulfilled by deriving the spatial crop suitability model through Geographic Information System (GIS). With help of the spatial model supported by participatory crop wise land evaluation of socio-economic factors, crop suitability recommendations for the watershed area was arrived at in line with the ‘factor rating’ method of FAO for crop suitability at S1, S2 and S3 levels (highly suitable, moderately suitable and marginally suitable respectively). Focus group interview was adopted to study the perceived utility of the model by the farmers. The awareness, knowledge and attitude of Agricultural Officers towards land evaluation were studied through a teacher-made test, knowledge test and attitude scale respectively developed for the purpose of the study. Mean, percentage analysis and correlation analysis were the major statistical tools employed. The study helped in identifying thirteen biophysical factors namely slope, rainfall, physiography, soil depth, soil texture, soil drainage, soil erosion, temperature, elevation, presence of rocks/stones/gravels, soil pH, ground water and major nutrients. The six identified socio-economic factors were economic viability, economic feasibility, infra-structural facilities, market demand, social acceptability and farming experience. Majority of respondents (Agricultural Officers) were in medium category with respect to their awareness and knowledge on land evaluation. Majority of respondents had favourable attitude towards land evaluation. There existed significant and positive relation between the dependent variables. Also significant positive and negative relationship existed between some independent and dependent variables. Analysis of biophysical factors of the watershed revealed that the area was suitable for a wide range of humid tropical crops (both perennial and seasonal). Participatory land evaluation of socio-economic factors revealed that the area was unsuitable for four crops namely pineapple, cocoa, mango and sapota. Integration of the primary spatial database of biophysical factors using GIS (ARC/INFO package) helped in generating the spatial crop suitability model on 1:10,000 scale with 1508 land mapping units (LMUs). The area of LMUs ranged from 0.201 hectares to 37.411 hectares. Crop suitability recommendation with the help of crop suitability model revealed that as per the S1 class the maximum watershed area can be put under coconut and as per both S2 and S3 classes the maximum area is suitable for rubber. The crop suitability recommendations derived through spatial crop suitability model will help for sustainable agriculture development. With regard to the use of remote sensing technology, while the aerial photos on 1:15000 scale were found to be very useful for micro watershed level studies, IRS (LISS III) satellite images on 1:50,000 scale only partially supported micro level studies due to the limitation of resolution. As perceived by the farmers, the spatial crop suitability model will help the planners, farmers and officers of the Department of Agriculture in decision making on the right selection of crops and its management for each locality. The content of participatory land evaluation of socio-economic factors will make the model socially acceptability also. As opined by the respondents the major constraints expected for the utility of the model were lack of political will, fluctuation in market price, untimely supply of inputs, lack of irrigation water, high labour charges and vanishing landlord-labourer relationship.
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    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
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    Participatory action research for renumerative rice production
    (Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2004) Parvathy, S; Ahamed, P
    As with the Complex, Diverse and Risk- prone (CDR) rice systems of many Asian countries, the Kerala state of peninsular India suffers from the fast depleting paddies and the ' high cost- low remuneration syndrome'. Crucial rice technologies have been blamed by stakeholders for the insensitivity to micro farming situations A multidisciplinary stakeholder Participatory Action Research (PAR) of emancipatory type and collaborative mode was done for three years (2001-2004) on identification and prioritization of constraints to profitable rice production to explore the available cost-reducing and productivity increasing technological options. The project focussed on screening of technological modules through farmer participatory field assessment and arrived at locally adaptable and remunerative technology packages. The project also developed and standardised an extrapolatable stakeholder participatory assessment model and protocol. The programme had a blend of extension approaches, research designs and tools like "ex-post facto", benchmark appraisal through Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), exploratory, diagnostic, evaluative, field experiments and analytical studies. The PAR was done in two rice ecosystems (irrigated and rainfe:l) of the midland, laterite belt of Kerala state, India. Fourteen technology modules were fitted into the PAR, under .. , each of the three treatments, viz., farmers' practice, recommended packages of the formal research system and location specific I technology components" jointly decided by the research team extensionists and farmers. Each technology component was subjected to five types of analysis viz., agronomic, statistical, economic, farmers perceptions and reactions, post-trial follow up analysis of adoption in the succeeding cropping seasons. The participatory interventions significantly influenced the level of technical knowledge and extent of adoption of adaptable technology modules, typifying the cognitive impact of an emancipating action research. The short duration red rice varieties "Kanchana" (Ptb 50) and "Kairali" (Ptb 49) proved to be the best first crop and second crop varieties respectively, to replace the ruling cultivars. The technology modules recommended by the formal research system viz., seed treatment with fungicides for the first crop season and Pseudomonas fluorescence for the second crop season were adaptable technologies. The PAR came out with an efficient planting density and crop geometry package (line transplanting; 15 x 10 cm; 67 . , hills/m'; 2-3 seedlings/hill) to replace the conventional planting system. The existing formal recommendations including IPM and INM practices could enhance and combat weeds, pest and diseases thereby enhancing crop yield. Harvesting with self- propelled reaper and threshing with mechanised thresher were cost effective, drudgery alleviating and time saving. The net result of the action research was a set of adaptable technological package for remunerative rice production in the CDR rice production systems. Cognitive and behavioural impact on the participants; and the standard methodology and protocol for participatory technology validation for rice in particular, and for any farm enterprise in general, with extrapolative effect.
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    Differential adoption of plant protection technology by farmers of Kerala - a critical analysis
    (Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Meera, B; Thyagarajan Nair, G
    Indian agriculture has undergone intensive farming with the introduction of high yielding varieties of crops. Adoption of improved technology and management practices for boosting up production of food grains have resulted in serious pest and disease complexes warranting intensive and extensive use of plant protection chemicals. A number of limitations and adverse side effects such as pest resistance to pesticides, pesticide residues, health hazards, environmental pollution and ecological imbalance have been identified recently. The components of plant protection technology were taken to study the differential adoption in important crops like paddy and vegetables by the farmers and explained the variations in their cognitive, affective and connative components of behaviour with a selected set of independent variables. The study analysed the indigenous practices of plant protection being followed by farmers and also their perception about the impact of pesticides on environmental aspects. The major constraints experienced by the farmers in the adoption of plant protection technology along with the suggestions to overcome the same were also studied. The study was undertaken in two districts of Kerala viz., Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha. A sample of 120 farmers each from the two districts was selected and the total sample size for the study was 240.The data were collected using an interview schedule and analysed using suitable statistical techniques. There was significant difference among the farmers of Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha districts with regard to their knowledge about chemical and cultural methods of plant protection. Majority of farmers of both the districts belonged to low knowledge group. The farmers of both the districts were ignorant about biological, physical and integrated methods of plant protection methods. Majority of the farmers of both the districts possessed favourable attitude towards chemical method of plant protection. The farmers of Alappuzha district were significantly higher adopters of plant protection methods than the farmers of Thiruvananthapuram district. Majority of the farmers of both the districts belonged to low perception category with regard to their perception about the utility and practicability of plant protection methods. Crops yield index and scientific orientation emerged as significant independent variables in the correlation and multiple regression analysis with regard to the farmers of both the districts. The practices, viz., controlled application of nutrients for reducing pest and disease attack in paddy and use of ‘thulsikeni’ in ‘pandals’ to trap and kill fruit flies in vegetables were judged as the most effective and scientifically rational practices adopted by farmers. The farmer’s perception about the impact of pesticides on environmental aspects was very low and majority of them belonged to low perception category. The constraint ‘untimely supply and high cost of imputs’ was the most important constraint experienced by the farmers of Thiruvananthapuram district, while ‘lack of proper drainage facilities’ was the most serious constraint experienced by the farmers of Alappuzha District. The most important suggestion given by the farmers to overcome the constraints was to ‘develop simple and more compatible plant protection technologies’ and the most important suggestion given by the experts to overcome the constraints experienced by the farmers was to ‘impart adequate training to farmers as well as extension workers on IPM practices’. The strategic model developed by integrating the salient findings of the present study, emphasized the importance of popularizing effective plant protection technology among the farmers in ecologically sensitive rice and vegetable production systems in Kerala.
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    Structural and functional linkages in the transfer of technology of improved rice varieties released by the Kerala agricultural university-a system analysis
    (Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Abdul rahiman Kunju, O; Tampi, A M
    The study aimed at analyzing the extent of existing structural and functional linkages between and among the Research Sub- system (RSS), the Extension Sub-system (ESS), the Client Sub- system (CSS) and the Input Sub- system (ISS) in the transfer of technology (TOT) of improved rice varieties released by the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). The study was conducted in the Alleppey, Ernakulam, Trichur and Palghat districts of Kerala. Respondents of the study consisted of 52 researchers, 134 extension personnel, 110 farmers and 32 representatives from the input agencies. To delineate the structural linkages between and among the four sub- systems involved in the TOT process, detailed analysis of the existing formal mechanics of linkage were analysed. Linkage activities that could be performed by each sub- system were identified and relevancy rated for measuring the extent of performance and perception of importance of these linkage activities by the respondents. A linkage index was developed to measure the perception of importance of linkage activities by the respondents. Data from the RSS, ESS, and ISS were collected using separate pre-tested structured questionnaires. Data from the CSS were collected using a pre- tested structured interview schedule. In structural linkage, it was found that there were appreciable linkage forums for the RSS and the ESS. But there was lack of organized linkage forums for the CSS and the ISS. Representation for the ESS in the linkage forums of the RSS was found to be restricted to higher officials. There was no representation for the ISS in the important linkage forums of the RSS. The regularity and periodicity of convening of the package of practices workshops, Extension Advisory Committee (EAC) and State Level Technical Committee (SLTC) were also found not being strictly adhered to. In functional linkages, the extent of linkage of the ESS with CSS and the ESS with the ISS were significantly better and reciprocal. Though the RSS viewed its linkage with the ESS and the CSS as good, the ESS and the CSS did not subscribe to this view. Similarly, the ISS viewed that its linkage with the RSS and the CSS was good but the RSS and the CSS did not corroborate this. Based on these results the hypotheses set for the study were either rejected or accepted. In order to segregate the factors associated with the functional linkages between and among the four sub- systems in the TOT of improved rice varieties, principal- factor analysis was done and the factors were extracted and labeled appropriately. The perception about the importance of linkage activities of the ESS with the CSS and the ISS was significantly better and reciprocal. But the perception about the importance of linkage activities of the RSS with the ISS, the ESS with the RSS and the CSS with the RSS and the ISS were significantly poor and hence the hypotheses set for the study were rejected. Lack of infra- structural facilities for research followed by insufficient staff strength and lack of facilities to multiply seeds were the most- important constraints in evolving and spreading the improved rice varieties as perceived by the RSS. Susceptibility to pests and diseases followed by the need for heavy dose of fertilizers and pesticides and poor cooking quality were the most important constraints in spreading and adopting the improved rice varieties as perceived by the ESS, the CSS and the ISS. Based on the results of the study, certain important implications have been spelt out.
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    Development and application of a scale to measure the efficiency of adult education centres
    (Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1990) Padmanabhan, V B; Thampi, A M
    This study on the development and application of a scale to measure the efficiency of Adult Education Centres (AECs) was designed to develop and standardize a scale to measure the efficiency of AECs, to evaluate the selected AECs by using the scale developed and to suggest a model for the efficient functioning of AECs. The study was conducted in the Rural Functional Literacy Programme (RFLP) centres of the Rural Development Blocks of Ollukkara and Kodakara in Thrissur district during 1989. A three stage sampling design was adopted for the study. Instructors and learners of the AECs were the two types of respondents included in the study. Efficiency of AEC (dependent variable) and selected 41 factors (independent variables) were the variables for the study. The data were collected from the instructors by using questionnaires and from the learners by using interview schedules. The collected data were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques including percentage analysis, simple, linear correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, step-wise regression analysis and path coefficient analysis. The salient findings oDepartment of Agricultural Extension College of Agriculturef the study are as follows : 1. Thirty seven independent variables out of the 41 were found to have significant positive relationship with the efficiency of AEC. Job commitment of instructor had the highest value of correlation coefficient. 2. The selected 24 independent variables taken together accounted for 98.35 per cent variation in the efficiency of AEC. The nine variables which were found to exert significant influence on the efficiency of AEC when taken together accounted for 96.27 per cent variation in the efficiency of AEC. 3. The best prediction equation was with eight variables which accounted for 93.97 per cent variation in the efficiency of AEC. These variables were instructor-learner communication, information processing behaviour of instructor, job commitment of instructor, job satisfaction of instructor, human resources, supply of inputs, monitoring and empathy of learner. 4. Job commitment of instructor alone explained 89.03 per cent variation in the efficiency of AEC. 5. Job commitment of instructor had the largest direct effect on the efficiency of AEC and its three components, namely, achievements of learners in literacy, awareness and functionality. The high positive correlations of all the other factors with the efficiency of AEC and its components were due to their positive inter-relationship with job commitment of instructor. 6. The scale developed to measure the efficiency of AECs was found to have high validity (content, criterion – related and concurrent) and reliability (test-rest and split-half). 7. The distribution of scores obtained on evaluating the selected AECs by using the scale was found to be normal. 8. A model was suggested for the efficient functioning of AECs based on the results of this study.
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    Managerial efficiency of cassava farmers
    (Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Asnantharaman, M; Thyagarajan Nair, G
    The study aimed at analyzing the managerial efficiency of cassava farmers. It was conducted in four districts namely, Thiruvananthapuram (low productivity), and Pathanamthitta (high productivity) in Kerala State and Kanyakumari (low productivity) and Selem (high productivity) in Tamil Nadu state. The first three districts were considered as non- industrial district and Selem district was considered as industrial district also. A total of 240 cassava farmers were selected, 60 from each district following stratified random sampling. The managerial efficiency was measured with the help of a scale consisting of 30 items developed for the study. The data on the managerial efficiency of farmers and on the fifteen socio- psychological and situational factors of the farmers were collected using an interview schedule. The components of managerial efficiency identified empirically were ‘planning’, ‘labour management’, ‘information management’, ‘financial management’ ‘production management (variety)’, ‘production management (practices)’ and ‘marketing management’. The managerial efficiency of cassava farmers as the whole was somewhat better as little more than half of the farmers had high managerial efficiency. While the farmers exhibited high efficiency in the managerial components namely, ‘planning’, ‘labour management’, ‘financial management’ and marketing management’, they were not efficient in the components of ‘Information management’, ‘production management (variety)’ and ‘production management (practices)’. The farmers of industrial district were found to have significantly higher efficiency in the overall managerial efficiency as well as in the managerial components viz., ‘planning’, ‘information management’, ‘financial management’, ‘production management (variety)’, and ‘production management (practices)’ when compared to farmers of non- industrial district. The component- wise performance of farmers on the whole was in the order of ‘labour management’, ‘marketing management’, ‘planning’, ‘financial management’, ‘production management (practices)’, ‘information management’, and ‘production management (variety)’. While farmers of industrial district relatively performed well in ‘production management (variety)’, ‘production management (practices)’ and ‘planning’ when compared to other components, non-industrial district farmers performance was good at ‘labour management’, ‘marketing management’ and ‘financial management’. The managerial components namely, ‘planning’, ‘information management’ and ‘financial management’ were found to be relatively more important than other components with regard to their contribution towards the profit from cassava cultivation. The socio-psychological and situational factors namely, closeness with agricultural support system, market perception, achievement motivation, economic motivation, attitude towards scientific management in crop enterprise, knowledge on scientific management in crop enterprise, cultivated holding, cassava area and irrigation potential were found to be significantly contributing to the managerial efficiency. The major managerial constraints faced by the farmers were lack of awareness, knowledge, conviction, timely information and planting materials; limited resources, uncertainty and shortage of labourers.