1. KAUTIR (Kerala Agricultural University Theses Information and Retrieval)

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    Developing a framework of social audit for evaluating projects on climate resilient agriculture in Malawi
    (Department of Agriculture Extension,College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Joseph Timothy Before; Jiju P Alex
    Social audit as a tool for evaluating development projects and has been found to be efficient for appraising projects in various sectors like health, natural resource management, agriculture, community development, water sanitation and hygiene, land conservation etc. In spite of the interventions by governments and non-governmental organization to ensure food security, agricultural development projects in most countries around the world had been affected with number of issues including climate change, corruption, lack of participatory evaluation mechanism as well as poor involvement of communities in decision making processes. The scenario is not different in Malawi either, specifically Phalombe district which faces a number of climate change problems like floods and droughts throughout the year. The present study which followed expo-facto design was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of projects on climate resilient agriculture that are implemented in Phalombe, Malawi. The study analyzed the outcomes, constraints and impact of selected projects and evolved a framework of social audit for evaluating such projects. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and the results have been presented quantitatively and descriptively. A total of 120 respondents from three Extension Planning Areas of Tamani, Kasongo and Mpinda were purposively selected for the study since they had participated in climate resilient agriculture projects. The sample also included 15 staff from the three NGOs that were selected for the study. It was found that 96 female farmers (78.3%) and 24 males (21.7%) had participated in the study which showed that more women were taking part in climate resilient agriculture projects compared to men. The research also revealed that manypeople who participated in climate resilient agriculture projects were married and most of them had education upto primary school level (84.2%). Secondary level education was found to have been acquired by 8.3% of the total respondents. Lower level of education was found to contribute to poor demanding of transparency and accountability from NGOs. Assessment of the agreement of respondents on severity of constraints showed that Kendall’s coefficient of concordance W= 0.5, significant at 1 per cent which proved that there was high degree of concordance among the 120 respondents in ranking the constraints according to their importance. The major constraints identified by the beneficiaries were: drying up of water resources, drought/ flood, small quantity of food, late delivery of inputs and poor involvement in decision making The results also showed that both beneficiaries and stakeholders agreed that AEDO and AEDC, NGO staff, Village Headman, Lead farmer, VCPC, ACPC, VDC, Community Policing, ASHP and Community Development Assistant should be part of social audit process. The components identified for social audit of climate resilient agriculture included training programmes, muster rolls, materials procured, input distribution, cash distribution and funding. Based on the study it could be proposed that all actors mentioned in the study should be part of the process. The framework of social audit formulated as part of the study suggested the important aspects that should be subjected to social audit. This would help devise efficient ways of conducting social audit of climate resilient projects in Malawi as it had been evolved through a participatory process involving all the stakeholders of climate resilient development projects in agricultural sector.
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    Participatory guarantee system (PGS) certification for production of organic vegetables :an analytical study
    (Department of Agriculture Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2020) Aashika Sasindran; Sherief, A K
    The study entitled ‘Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification for production of organic vegetables: An analytical study’ was undertaken during 2019-2020. The objectives were to study the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification for production of organic vegetables and to analyze the role of PGS farmers in the certification procedure, production and marketing among the VFPCK farmers in Kerala. The constraints faced during the implementation of PGS were also studied and appropriate suggestions are given to overcome the problems. The study was conducted in Kasargod, Idukki, Kottayam and Thrissur districts of Kerala which have maximum active number of PGS local groups under VFPCK. The sample comprised of 80 PGS farmers, out of which 20 respondents were selected from each district. Thirteen independent variables were selected through judge’s rating and role performance and adoption behaviour were the dependent variables selected. On analysis, it was found that 67.5 per cent of PGS farmers belonged to middle age (47-60) category, and 60 per cent of the respondents had education up to high school level. Majority of the respondents (55%) belonged to medium category of land holding with medium farming experience in organic farming (68.75%). About half (47.5%) of the organic farmers had medium level of annual income. More than half (53.75%) of PGS farmers did not possess organic certificate and majority of the PGS farmers belonged to the medium category of Information seeking behavior(66.25), environmental orientation (80%), attitude (77.25%), Knowledge (55%), sustainability (55%), market orientation (53.75%) and trainings acquired (68.75%). The analysis of PGS farmers based on their individual role performance revealed that 75 per cent of them belonged to medium category followed by 15 per cent in the high category and remaining 10 per cent in the low category. The distribution of farmers based on their role performance in the PGS group revealed that 72.5 per cent of them belonged to medium category and high and low category have equal (13.75%) respondents. The mean value of Individual role performance (38.86) is greater than mean value of group role performance (22.9), indicating a higher individual role performance among the PGS farmers. The results of factor analysis revealed that among the individual roles, respondents from all four districts showed characteristics of Individual task proficiency, Individual task adaptivity and individual task proactivity. Among the group roles, group member proactivity was displayed in all four districts, group member proficiency was displayed among the farmers of Kottayam and Kasargod and group member adaptivity was displayed among the farmers of Kasargod and Thrissur. The results of the adoption quotient revealed, that majority of PGS farmers i.e. 67.54 per cent belonged to medium category of adoption, followed by 17.5 and 15 per cent in low and high category of adoption. The mean adoption quotient (AQ) was 67.54 per cent with a maximum and minimum AQ of 81.66 and 51.94 per cent respectively. In case of the recommended practices, nine out of twenty four practices had an overall adoption percentage greater than 90. The results of the correlation revealed that out of 13 independent variables selected for the study, 10 variables were significantly related to the dependent variable adoption of organic methods recommended by PGS. The independent variables, viz., age and sustainability were significant at 1% level of significance followed by certificate status, experience in organic farming, training, information seeking behavior, market orientation, environmental orientation, attitude and knowledge at 5% level of significance The major constraints faced by the PGS farmers were lack of market linkage and satisfactory price for organic products. Unawareness of consumers about PGS certification remains as a barrier to farmers for proper marketing. Pest and wild animal attack and lack of government support are another constraints faced by farmers. The strategy to overcome these constraints is to develop proper market linkage by VFPCK and to recognize and brand the products as PGS organic among consumers. Moreover, Crop insurance and other incentives should be provided to the farmers who have suffered pest and animal attack. It could be concluded that, PGS was initiated as a credible, relevant and cost-effective mechanism through which farmers can provide a trust or guarantee of their products as organic to consumers. The findings of this study indicate that the individual role performance among registered PGS farmers is greater than group role performance. Also, the intensity of total adoption of organic practices was significantly high (67.5%) among the PGS farmers. For effective functioning, VFPCK should review their existing PGS in order to build their systems procedures that enable and encourage all their key stakeholders to take part in the design and implementation of their PGS.
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    Assessment of socio psychological constructs in post flood situation: the case of Kuttanad rice farmers
    (Department of Agriculture Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2020) Chippy Xavier; Seema, B
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    Farming among the Attappady tribes of Kerala: a livelihood analysis
    (Department of Agriculture Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Sachana, P C; Binoo P Bonny
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    Environmental pollution experienced by agricultural systems: a stakeholder perspective
    (Department of Agriculture Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2020) Lakshmi Muralikrishna; Jayasree Krishnankutty, M
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    Performance effectiveness of technology dissemination system of state department of agriculture in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh: a comparative analysis
    (Department of Agricultural Extension College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2018) Modem Ravikishore; Seema, B
    The present study entitled ‘Performance effectiveness of technology dissemination system of State Department of Agriculture in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh: A comparative analysis’ was conducted in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh states during 2014-2017 covering 200 extension professionals and 100 farmers form both the states with equal proportions. Agricultural extension workers of State Department of Agriculture are personnel who are responsible for meeting the goals of extension system. Evaluation of the success of extension delivery programmes, in most cases, has focused on performance effectiveness of extension personnel of State Department of Agriculture. However, the effectiveness and efficiency with which extension personnel deliver extension services cannot be over looked as this may in fact be a greater reason for success or failure of extension programmes. This necessitates the present study with the objective of assessing and comparing performance effectiveness of State Department of Agriculture in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh vis-a-vis technology dissemination system. Comparative analysis of technology dissemination systems of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh would allow inter-scalability of technologies. The findings demonstrated that most of the extension professionals with respect to Kerala as well as Andhra Pradesh states have moderately favorable attitudes towards technology dissemination system of State Department of Agriculture (SDA). Comparative analysis of attitude among Kerala and Andhra Pradesh extension personnel have shown that there was significant difference towards State Department of Agriculture. Attitude of Kerala extension professionals was influenced by the factors age, experience, training and organizational commitment. Attitude of Andhra Pradesh extension personnel was influenced by the factors training, organizational commitment, perceived workload, job satisfaction and achievement motivation. Performance effectiveness index of technology dissemination system of State Department of Agriculture (SDA) was devised and measured in three components namely: Human effectiveness component, Dissemination system component and Organisational effectiveness component and the results revealed that majority of the extension personnel with respect to Kerala as well as Andhra Pradesh, performance effectiveness index was medium. Comparative analysis of Performance effectiveness index of technology dissemination system of State Department of Agriculture (SDA) among Kerala and Andhra Pradesh extension personnel have shown that there was significant difference. Performance effectiveness index of Kerala extension professionals was influenced by the factors like experience, training, job satisfaction, participation efficiency and achievement motivation. Performance effectiveness index of Andhra Pradesh extension professionals was influenced by the factors like experience, training, organizational commitment, innovation proneness and participation efficiency. The study also revealed that most of the farmers with respect to Kerala as well as Andhra Pradesh states, perceived that technology dissemination system of State Departments of Agriculture (SDA) was moderately favourable. Comparative analysis of farmers’ perception towards technology dissemination system of State Department of Agriculture (SDA) among Kerala and Andhra Pradesh states have shown that there was significant difference. The findings also demonstrated that most of the respondents with respect to Kerala as well as Andhra Pradesh states, belonged to middle age category, comprising medium experience; attended very high number of trainings. It was also found that most of the respondents from both states having normative commitment with no significant difference. Perceived workload, job satisfaction and decision making ability of the respondents from both states was medium with significant difference. Achievement motivation and innovation proneness of the respondents from both states was medium with no significant difference. Hence, the study assessed and compared the performance effectiveness of technology dissemination system of State Department of Agriculture (SDA) in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh by developing performance effectiveness index which also revealed that there was significant difference in their performance with clearly depicted constraints and suggestions from both the states.
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    Participation of farm family women in marginal homestead farming systems in the Thrissur district
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1994) Sureshkumar, R; Kumari Sushama, N P
    The study aimed at analyzing the nature and extent of participation of farm family women in agricultural operations and decision making in the identified marginal homestead farming system. The study was undertaken in three panchayats of Thrissur district namely Melur, Pananchery and Thekkumkara. From each panchayat, 50 homesteads were selected randomly. The female head of the family was selected as the respondent from each homestead. The dependent variables of the study were the nature and extent of participation of farm family women in agricultural operations and in decision making. These variables were quantified using measurement devices developed for the study. Twenty independent variables were selected for the study viz., age, education, farm size, family size, farming experience, extension participation, mass media participation, social participation, extension contact, knowledge about scientific crop production, knowledge about dairy/poultry management, attitude towards farming, level of aspiration, economic motivation, innovation, proneness, cropping intensity, achievement motivation, self-confidence, risk preference and information source utilization. All these independent variables were quantified with the help of available measurement procedures. The data were collected using pre-tested structured interview schedule prepared for the purpose. The statistical tools used were correlation analysis, categorization, multiple linear regression analysis, step down regression analysis and multivariate path coefficient analysis. The study revealed that coconut based homestead farming system is the predominant one in Thrissur district. Of this, coconut-banana-vegetable crop combination occupied the first position followed by coconut-banana –yams. Also most families have a variety of other enterprises, of which dairying occupied the first place followed by poultry. The nature and extent of participation of farm family women in agricultural operations of coconut was found to be ‘supervision only’ and that too ‘to some extent’ and in decision making they participated ‘jointly’ with their husbands. In the case of banana, they ‘only supervised’ many of the agricultural operations and it was also ‘to some extent’ and in the case of decision making majority ‘sometimes’ participated ‘jointly’ with their husbands. As far as vegetables are concerned, majority ‘solely’ participated to a ‘greater extent’ in the agricultural operations and ‘sometimes’ participated ‘jointly’ with their husbands in decision making. Regarding yams, majority participated in the form of ‘supervision only’ and that too to ‘some extent’, whereas they ‘sometimes’ participated ‘jointly’ with their husbands in decision making. Considering other enterprises like dairy/poultry, majority ‘solely’ participated to a ‘greater extent’ in the activities and in decision making they ‘always’ participated ‘solely’ in these areas. The results of correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, step down regression analysis and path analysis revealed that only seven independent variables namely extension participation, mass media participation, knowledge about scientific crop production, knowledge about dairy/poultry management, attitude towards farming, achievement motivation and self confidence influenced the nature and extent of participation in agricultural operations. Whereas the results of correlation analysis, multiple lenear regression analysis, step down regression analysis and path analysis revealed that only 8 variables influenced the nature and extent of participation of farm family women in decision making. They were mass media participation, extension contact, knowledge about dairy/poultry management, attitude towards farming, economic motivation, cropping intensity, achievement motivation and self confidence.
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    Taxonomical analysis of agricultural modernity of farmers
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Sreevalsan J Menon; Bhaskaran, S
    This study was undertaken based on the premise that any attempt to design a suitable extension strategy for modernizing agriculture requires a through understanding of the individual modernity of a farmer. The study area was the Perumbazhuthoor Panchayat and a sample of 120 farmers were randomy selected. The data were collected with the help of a pre-tested interview schedule and suitable statistical tests were applied. The main findings of the study were as follows: Among the four components viz., socio-psychological behaviour, adoption behaviour, communication behaviour and economic behaviour, adoption behaviour received maximum weight. Nine items (determinants) were selected out of 18 items proposed across the four components. The number of determinants were three under socio-psychological behaviour and two each under adoption, communication and economic behaviour. A composite agricultural modernity index was developed with the nine determinants viz., education, attitude towards scientific cultivation, knowledge, adoption of improved practices, innovativeness, information source utilisation, information dissemination behaviour, economic motivation and management orientation. Increase in the nine determinants viz., education, attitude towards scientific cultivation, knowledge, adoption of improved agricultural practices, innovativeness, information source utilization, information dissemination behaviour, economic motivation and management orientation enhanced CAMI. For every five unit increase in each of the determinants namely education, attitude towards scientific agriculture, knowledge, adoption of improved agricultural practices innovativeness, information source utilization, information dissemination behaviour, economic motivation and management orientation, there was one unit increase in CAMI. Nearly two third of the total respondents belonged to the medium modernity level. None of the categories of farmers came under very high modernity level. Two third of the farmers under Category I, II, III belonged to the medium modernity level, and nearly one fourth belonged to the high modernity level. None of the farmers under Category III came under the low modernity level. Almost half of the respondents had high levels of satisfaction and calculability but had low levels of social participation. Nearly two third of the farmers were less environmentally oriented and less fatalistic. Increase in the psychographics, viz., satisfaction, calculability, social participation and environmental orientation enhanced CAMI and a decrease in fatalism enhanced CAMI. For every three unit increase in satisfaction, there was two unit increase in CAMI ceterisparibus. For every one unit decrease in fatalism ceterisparibus, there would be one unit increase in CAMI. For every two units increase each in calculability and social participation ceterisparibus, there were three units increase and one unit increase in CAMI respectively. For every one unit increase in environmental orientation, there were two units increase in CAMI ceterisparibus. Increase in the factors viz., farm size, number of enterprises, credit behaviour, cosmopoliteness, training and risk orientation increased CAMI and a decrease in farming experience increased the CAMI. For every one unit increase each in cosmopoliteness, training and risk orientation there was one unit increase in CAMI ceterisparibus.
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    Work motivation- a multivariate analysis among teachers of the Kerala Agricultural University
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1996) Alexander George; Bhaskaran, C
    Work motivation, the inner urge that energises, directs and sustains work, was the dependent variable while the independent structure consisted of eighteen variables: Locus of control, achievement motive, power motive, affiliation motive, equity- sensitivity, growth need, relatedness need, existence need, preferred organizational culture, variety in job, identity of job, significance of job, autonomy in job, feedback through job, work climate, communication patterns, management style and morale. The sample of 150 teachers constituted 21.6 per cent of the total population of teachers in the Kerala Agricultural University. Distribution of teachers with respect to the variables mentioned above, relationships between the variables and determinants of work motivation were studied. Cadre-wise comparison of teachers was undertaken and teachers in teaching, research and extension institutions were also compared using ANOVA. All independent variables studied had strong correlations with work motivation. The relationship of affiliation motive preferred organizational culture and equity- sensitivity with work motivation was negative. Bunch-map analysis was used to confront the problem of multicollinearity and identify the determinants of work motivation: affiliation motive, existence need and identity of job. The study proposes a cohesive and unifying model to explain work motivation. Relevance of work motivation theories and practices with reference to the Indian socio-cultural context and applicability of existing models to educational and service sector organizations are discussed. Recommendations are made for the design and dynamics of human resource management practices applicable to the around 30,000 agricultural scientists in the country.
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    Cause and effect analysis of in-migration of agricultural labourers
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1995) Bijimol Baby, K; Kishore Kumar, N
    The present study entitled as ''cause and effect analysis of in-migration of agricultural labourers'' was carried out with the following objectives. (1) To study the patterns of migration of agricultural labourers. (2) To study the factors responsible for migration ie., (a) The push factors responsible for migration, and (b) The pull factors responsible for migration (3) To study the socio-psychological effects due to migration (4) To study the profile characteristics of migrated agricultural labourers. The over-riding objective is to study the patterns of in-migration of agricultural labourers by assessing the factors responsible for migration and to study the socio-psychological effects due to the migration. The study was conducted in six randomly selected panchayats (Krishi Bhavan) of the Kaduthuruthy subdivision, Kottayam district. A sample of 120 in-migrated agricultural labourers ie 20 migrant labourers under each panchayat were selected through accidental sampling procedure, formed the respondents of the study. Personal inteerview was conducted with the help of well structured and pre-tested interview schedule to collect data from the migrated agricultural labourer respondents. The profile characteristics selected were analysed and studied. The patterns of migration, factors responsible for migration and consequences of migration were also studied in detail. The results obtained by employing suitable statistical techniques were as follows. The study revealed that majority of the migrated agricultural labourers were found to have medium level of job experience, medium socio-economic status, medium level of indebtedness, medium knowledge about scientific agricultural practices, medium level knowledge about the development programmes of agricultural labourers, and medium level of innovativeness. Majority of the respondents had high level of Aspiration, high attitude towards labour-union, high economic motivation and high level of self-confidence. Most of the respondents belonged to middle age group and their purpose of indebtedness was mainly for agricultural purposes. Migration pattern-1 based on the permanency of stay and duration of residence was positively and significantly correlated with migration pattern-2 based on origin and destination of movement. Education is negatively and significantly correlated with migration pattern-1 based on permanency of stay and duration of residence. Migration pattern-2 based on the origin and destination of movement had a negative and significant correlation with migration pattern-3 based on the composition of migrants. Migration pattern-3 based on composition of migrants was positively and significantly correlated with knowledge about development of agricultural labourers and also with self-confidence. The migration pattern-3 based on composition of migrants had a negative and significant correlation with house types as well as with occupation. Migration pattern-4 based on the type of decision for migration was positively and significantly correlated with Economic motivation and also with Innovativeness. A positive and significant correlation was observed between age and consequences of migration. The major push factors responsible for migration were un-employment, low wage, indebtedness, small-holding, poverty, frustration, decline of natural resources etc. The push factors responsible for migration is positively and significantly correlated with pull factors responsible for migration, purpose of indebtedness and job experience. A negative and significant correlation was observed between Education and push Factors responsible for migration. The major pull factors responsible for migration were superior opportunity of employment and to earn higher income, better job security, preferable environment and living condition, better food, better social net-work, dependency movement etc. A positive and significant correlation was observed between pull factors responsible for migration and purpose of indebtedness. Major consequences on socio-psychological effects due to migration were social tension, high economic status, higher knowledge, labour shortage, intercast marriage, labour glut, low wage, more satisfaction etc. Majority of the respondents were of daily migrants as per migration pattern-1 based on the permanency of stay and duration of residence. Majority of respondents were of local area migrants as per migration pattern-2 based on the origin and destination of movement. Majority of respondents migrate in group and decision for migration was self- initiated. Majority of respondents migrate in group and decision for migration was self- initiated.