Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Research- Education-Extension-Clientele Linkages for
Accelerating Farm Productivity and Agri-business
C.Prasad* and S.P.Singh**
INTRODUCTION
The World is striding ahead to face the gigantic triple challenges of sustained increased agricultural
productivity; environmental sustainability; and poverty alleviation, which are further aggravated by
unfavourable fiscal environment, global competition, and rapidly advancing technology. Therefore, it is the
most appropriate time to ponder over various issues for consolidation of gains and realistically plan for
future generations in terms of sustained production increase, protection of environment, conservation of
natural resources and social ,equitability of gains. To meet the ever-increasing challenges, 7.7e entire
concept and culture of farming in the country has to 27-adually change from sustenance livelihood to
commercial one and competitive enterprises with marketability and profit earning. Besides, encouraging
'Green Revolution' areas to become more modern and commercially viable, the Government well as society
have to plan for turning less greener and brown areas into lush green; viz., rainfed areas having poor -.all
and marginal farmers. Though there is scope for improvement even in well-endowed areas, higher potential
lies in rainfed sub-sector, which needs to be tapped for next Phase of green revolution in agriculture. Greater
emphasis on s sub-sector is also required to reduce prosperity gap and _ avoiding social upheaval, which has
already started showing, signs here and there.
Bridging the wide gaps in existing production potential and - actual harvest in farmers' fields, requires
attention to minimize technology transmission losses as well as technology uptake gap. The agricultural
development depends on development of appropriate technologies which in turn are decided by proper
technology management system having four important institutions viz. education, research, extension and
ultimate user i.e. farmer (clientele). Education helps in capacity research generates information, which is
transformed - -.ethnology and then disseminated to its ultimate users (farmers) by extension system.
Therefore, very closely related functional relationship is required in all these sub-systems for meeting food
and other related agri-based requirements of a nation. Its importance was appreciated in the 1970's when
concerted efforts for agricultural development programmes did not perform as expected in lesser-developed
nations the world over. The national agricultural education, research and extension system have intrinsic
interdependence with more or less common goals and operate in a unique set of complex institutional
relationship that first be better understood before effective policy and executive actions can be taken to
remove or alleviate wide rage of potential institutional problems that may impede flow of technology in any
particular national system.
In this paper an attempt has been made to explain the present system of technology management, reasons for
poor relationship among different sub-systems, concept and models of linkages, linkage planning process
and important issues for consideration at varying levels of agricultural management hierarchies.
Research-Extension-Farmer Gap Technology development, transfer and utilization are the steps of a
mutually reinforcing continuum (Ruttan, 1987). It is the common experience that the extension system is
often not well linked with knowledge base and the research system is equally oblivious to the needs of its
clients (Russell, 1981). This is well understood that, though the systems have different needs, their destiny is
common and functions are closely related and thus, cannot operate in isolation. It is unfortunate that this gap
is much wider in poor nations that can ill afford it and have to bridge this gap, sooner the better. All the
players of the system are interdependent for their survival (Singh, et al. 1991).
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Community Participation in Solar Street Light Programme
Promila* and Sushma Kaushik**
ABSTRACT
Study was undertaken to examine the extent of community participation and utilization of solar street lights
in a village of Haryana state. Seventy beneficiaries from different strata of population, i.e., 10 each from
housewives, panchyat members, labour, service personnel, farmers, students and hospital staff were selected
randomly in one purposively selected village of Hisar district viz., Kajlan. Data were collected with the help
of structured interview schedule. Results show that participation of all the communities except panchyat
members was found to be very low. Even the panchyat members had moderate extent of community
participation. The mean participation was found to be 17.1 percent Majority of the respondents (38.5%)
participated for reward/ benefits and participated by contributing time (24.2%) or labour (15.7%).
INTRODUCTION
'Solar photovoltaic technology is one of the most promosing renewable energy technologies. It has
particular relevance for rural development activities because it provides energy in an extremely versatile
form, namely electricity. The technology facilitates the direct conversion. of Sun light into electricity with
no moving parts, no noise, no fuel and no exhausts. As electricity, this can be used for hundreds of
applications. One of the useful community applications of solar photovoltaic is street lighting. Under the
National Solar Photovoltaic Energy Demonstration Programme a large number of community solar devices
including solar street lights have been installed in various parts of the country. Solar street lights have been
installed in rural areas on hundred per cent cost free basis. The cost of a 20 watt solar street light is Rs.
22,000 of which 50 per cent subsidy is given by the Central Governmen tand 50 percent by the state.
However, for the successful implementation and sustained de velopment of any programme it is imperative
that the community is in its implementation. involved People's participation in a broader sense, means their
total involvement with development agencies in deciding the programmes and activities, fixing up of
priorities, taking initiative and carrying out the projects as partners by contribution of their ideas, interest,
material, money labour
and time (Setty, 1985) which is never seen in many village level programmes. Accordingly, study was under
taken to examine the extent of people's participation in solar street lighting programme and to assess the
constraints faced in the utilization of this programme.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Participation of Women in Agriculture
Premlata Singh*, Anita Jhamtani**,Chhaya Bhadauria***,Ruchi Srivastava***,
Rahul** and Jogender Singh***
ABSTRACT
Farmwomen play a significant role in agricultural activities such as seeding, transplanting, weeding,
fertilizer application, plant protection, harvesting, processing, storage etc. Several of these operations are
exclusively carried out by women only. In spite of their active involvement in agriculture and significant
contributions, they have not been duly recognized and appreciated. Besides efficiency in farming and farin
management, there is a need in reduction of their drudgery especially in weeding, harvesting and post
harvest activities and creating more remunerative employment opportunities. To enable the farm women to
play an important role in agriculture, they should be given education and training in every field of
agriculture. The paper discusses the extent of participation, time utilization pattern and amount of work
done by farmwomen in different farm operations.
INTRODUCTION
Women constitute half the work force in agriculture especially in developing countries. In India according
to 2001 census, female population is 48.27% out of which 72.72% come from rural areas. Emerging studies
suggest that increasing number of rural women in India are not simply housewives but are in fact farmers
(Shiva, 1991).
Female labour force participation or more specially women's participation in agriculture is a much
researched and discussed subject. Women are carrying out number of activities inside and outside the home.
This is more true incase of farm women, who work with men folk in performing several farm operations as
well as performing all the roles related to home living, family care and management.
Farmwomen play a significant role in agricultural activities such as seeding, transplanting, weeding,
fertilizer application, plant protection, harvesting, processing, storage etc., Several of these operations are
exclusively carried out by women only. Their involvement in agriculture varies from region to region and
also among different ecological zones, farming systems, caste, class and socio-economic status of families.
Thus, by participating in above agricultural activities, they directly or inthrectly influence the course of
agriculture. The present investigation was designed with the following objectives:
1. To study the extent of participation of farmwomen in different farm operations.
2. To find out the time utilization pattern, and amount of work done by farmwomen in farm activities.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3& 4, 2004
Assessment, Refinement and Dissemination of Technology for
Rejuvenating Senile Mango Orchards in Farming
System Perspective
R.N.Padaria*,B.Lal**, R.K.Pathak***, D.Mishra**** and Arvind Kumar*****
ABSTRACT
The study exemplifies the essentiality of Technology Assessment and Refinement (TAR) in farming system
perspective as a proactive extension strategy for effective deployment and dissemination of technology
through the case of Rejuvenation Technology standardized at CISH, Lucknow. The technology was
effective in providing new productive life to senile orchards by way of deep pruning and intensive aftercare management practices but its acceptance among growers remained impeded by the factors like lack of
awareness and knowledge about the rejuvenation technology, unwillingness for deep pruning of mango trees
for religious reasons, lack of faith in the technique and perceived risks of survival of trees after deep
pruning, unconducive time of pruning, incompatibility with production system, lack of risk taking
willingness for losing crops for 2 to 3 years as a result of pruning, apprehension of forest laws and police,
complexity in use, cumbersomeness and labour-intensiveness of the pruning process, unavailability of
desired equipment and skilled labourers for pruning work, etc. With farmer participatory trials the
technology was assessed and found to be relatively advantageous with respect to attainment of healthy
canopy and higher production potential. However, with respect to compatibility to production system (mps:
1.47) and complexity in use (mps: 2.63) Growers' perception was unfavourable. Refinement in the
technology by alternate row pruning made it compatible to small production system. Assessment criteria
were identified with growers' participation, broadening the criteria domain from technology-centered to
system — centered. With action research-based interventions the growers' capabilities were improved to
utilize the technology. Growers ratified that besides conventional extension methods, approaches like onfarm trials, formation of technology user groups, reward system and grower-to-grower communication
provided impetus to dissemination strategy.
INTRODUCTION
The dominant paradigm of technology development and transfer characterized by top-down, station-based
and predominant reliance upon scientists' ability for problem identification, technology generation and
dissemination have come under serious scrutiny for its failure to address the issues related to prospective
welfare and livelihood of small scale farmers as well as the concerns of less favourable areas. Not only on
the account of the appropriateness of the technologies but also the assumptions on which, their transfer were
thought T3 occur are questioned by the critiques (Jiggins, 2005). Growing disenchantment with the
conventional paradigm favoured the emergence of Farming System Research (FSR), which made an
important contribution by demonstrating the operational value of on-farm testing of technologies as a
critical component of the agricultural research process. However, in practice this approach too remained
elusive of attaining meaningful participation of the stakeholders, primarily the farmers. Farmer participatory
endeavours and system perspective in technology testing need to be encouraged to provide holism in the
technology generation and dissemination process. The present study is a step in this direction. Rejuvenation
of senile mango orchards — Technological Need and its development Declining productivity of old and
dense orchards existing in abundance is a matter of serious concern when the emerging stiff competition
from foreign producers in prevailing globalized economy has necessitated mango growers to strive towards
adopting export-oriented production system. To overcome the problem, Rejuvenation technology was
standardized at Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, Lucknow, which restores the
productive potential of such orchards by pruning the branches of trees at a height oters from the ground
level during December. Only about 3 to 4 main branches are retained where development of new canopy of
healthy shoots with outward growth is facilitated. Pruned trees are kept under intensive cultural, nutrient and
pest management. The pruned trees begin to bear fruits from third year onward of pruning. As per the
conventional mode, dissemination of this technology began with experts' lecture in the mango gosthies and
other interaction programmes. However, initially, it could not get due attention of growers. The potential
impediments to its acceptance were investigated and the technology was subjected to farmer participatory
on-farm assessment and suitable refinement. Action based interventions were made to provide impetus to its
effective dissemination and utilization among the growers.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Entrepreneurial Behavior of Potato Growers
K.D. Solianki* and M.C. Soni**
ABSTRACT
The major indicators of the entrepreneurial behavior found relevant by the panel of judges were; (i)
Decision making ability, (ii) Economic motivation, (iii) Market orientation, (iv) Knowledge of improved
potato production technology (v) Ability to coordinate available resources. (vi) Risk taking ability, (vii)
Ability to solve problems, (viii) Credit orientation (ix) Self confidence (x) Scientific orientation (xi)
Communication skill, (xiii) Experience of potato cultivation (xiv) Achievement motivation and (xv)
Perceiving opportunities. It was observed that majority of the respondents were found in medium to high
level categories with respect to all the main indicators which indicate the importance and contribution of the
indicators in entrepreneurial behavior.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Constraints Limiting Job Performance of
Fishery Extension Officers
S. K. Majhi* and H. K. De**
ABSTRACT
Aquaculture in the present world is gaining more importance in terms of food and nutritional security. The
Fishery Extension Officers (FE0s) are the nodal authority for transferring technology of aquaculture to the
fishermen and play an instrumental role. However, several administrative as well as socio-psychological
factors limit job performance of FE0s. An attempt has been made to identify these constraints. Data were
collected using structured questionnaire from 10 randomly selected districts of Orissa. Questionnaire had
been sent to all the FEOs working there and a total of 65 completed responses were received. Respondents
indicated the following constraints that severely hinder their job performance-No incentive for good work
(68 %), lack of mobility (68%). Lack of promotional avenues (65%), large operational area (56%) and
scanty guidance by superiors (54%).
INTRODUCTION
With rapid development of new technology and information explosion in different disciplines, technology
transfer to the target group assumes greater significance. Research findings do not automatically transform
themselves into actual farming practices. It is the extension agency through the extension personnel that
normally interprets the findings to the farmers for adoption (B ahalet al., 1992). In spite of technical
manpower deployed the technologies are not being adopted widely. Fish farmers continue to practice
subsistence aquaculture leaving much room for improving the yield through intensification. The
preparedness of extension personnel to cater to the information need of fishermen is being questioned.
Quality of extension service is determined by several factors in which favorable working environment is
important. In the present investigation an attempt has been made to address the above issue with the
objective of identifying the constraints that limit job performance of FE0s.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
INTRODUCTION
Adoption of Improved Mentha Cultivation
Gurprit Singh Dhillion* and Kulidip Kumar**
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Mentha growing areas of the Punjab state. 1v1entha growers were largely
middle aged farmers with education upto matriculation, holding medium to big sized farms. They were
found low in extension contact. By and large they had high risk orientation and medium level of intrinsic
motivation. Their adoption was high on recommended varieties, spacing of plants, irrigation frequency and
intensity and insecticide usage. Adoption was found in case of seed treatment, facilities use and havesting.
Age of the farmer and his risk orientation were significantly correlated with adoption of recommended
practices in positive direction Education was negatively correlated with adoption of recommended metha
practices.
INTRODUCTION
Mentha is a small genus containing 25 species of perennial herbs belonging to family Labiata (Laminaceae),
which is distributed mostly in temperate and sub-temperate regions of the world. The herb (foliage) on
steam distillation yields essential oils, which have medicinal as well as aromatic properties. Mint oil is
considered third most flavoring agent after vanilla and citrus flavour (Anonymous 1995). Around 1925,
development of mint became one of the most distinct agricultural industries in USA. At the same time
production of M.arvensis oil and menthol extraction from it became world's largest agro-based enterprise in
Japan, China and Brazil. India has also made significant contributions to this industry since 1965 onwards
(Ranade 1982).
Today India is the leading exporter of essential oils to the West Europe, USA and Far East. India produces
80-85 per cent of the total global production of essential oils, of which Uttar Pradesh alone contributes 70
per cent. Among the essential oils, Mentha arvensis oil and its major constituent menthol contribute
maximum to the production and trade of essential oils. It was introduced into India in 1954 from Japan. At
present it is being cultivated in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and
Gujarat in more than 1,25,000 hectares, producing 12,000 tonnes mint oil and 6,000 tonnes of menthol
annually (Singh et al., 1999a). India has become leading exporter of Japanese mint oil after surpassing
China.
Mint oil has vast use in pharmaceuticals, confectionaries, dental creams, mouthwashes and cosmetics.
Mentha crop has emerged as a competent crop in the north Indian plains in view of high economic returns as
compared to other crops (Ram et al., 2002). Being labour intensive, mentha cultivation provides
employment of 30 million man-days and also has resulted in setting of several hundreds distillation units in
the country (Singh et al., 1999b). Various commercially cultivated species of mentha in Punjab are M.
arvensis, M. piperita, spicata and M. citrata in descending order of area under them, occupying a total area
of 3253 hectares in the state (Anonymous, 2002). Mentha crop can be fitted in a number of crop rotations
and it can also be inter-cropped with various crops. Considering the importance of mentha the present study
was conducted to know the adoption behaviour of mentha growers and to analyse relation between adoption
behaviour and various socio-personal characteristics of mentha growers.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Rice Production Technology - Adoption and Contraints
S. Thyagarajan*
ABSTRACT
Adoption of rice production technology was studied in Kollam district of Kerala state. Majority of the 120
respondents (44.17%) studied were found to be medium level adopters. Adoption of correct dosage of
fertilizers and manures as also the recommended variety was the highest (72.5% and 65% resp.) followed by
seed treatment with fungicides (60.83%) and recommended nursery practices (40.83%). The least adoption
was for plant protection, weedicide application, and application of azospirillium prior to transplating
(4.17%, 27.5% and 13.33% resp.). Major constraints in adoption of the recommended technologies were
high cost of HYVs, compelxity of the new pratices, heavy weed growth, high cost of labour and inputs and
lack of support price, subsidy and credit facility.
INTRODUCTION
Rice is the most important and extensively grown food crop in India and it is the staple food for more than
half of the world population. In India, Kerala ranks fourteenth in terms of area and production and ninth in
productivity (1998-99). During Mundakan season (II crop / autumn crop) rice is grown in most parts of
Kollam district in Kerala because of favorable agroclimatic factors. The scope for expanding rice production
lies in enhancing productivity in this season. Several studies have indicated that the adoption of
recommended rice technology gives high yields and income to the farmers. The yield levels of rice which
are comparatively low at present need to be increased substantially. Higher rice production can be achieved
by adoption of all the recommended technologies by large number of farmers. In general, recommended rice
technologies are not accepted by all the farmers at a time and also to full extent. In this context the study
was conducted with the objective to know the extent of adoption of recommended rice technologies by the
farmers, assess the socio- economic and psychological characteristics of the farmers (respondents) with their
extent of adoption of recommended rice technologies and to delineate the contraints experienced by the
farmers.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 &4, 2004
Participatory Evaluation of Selected
Rice Production Technologies
S.Helen*, B. Shanmugasundaram*, M.C. Narayanakutty*, and A. Prema*
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to analyse the performance and adoption of selected rice technologies by the
farmers as part of the National Agricultural Techynology Project (NATP) on Technology Assessment and
Refinement (TAR) through Institution Village Linkage Programme (IVLP). It was observed that there was
an increase in yield by 34.5 percent in adopting high yielding varieties, input use increased by 75.2 percent
whereas net returns increased by 133.5 percent over the use of traditional varieties. Performance of
Aiswarya variety was adjudged as the best among the high yielding varieties used by them. Among the
participating farmers high level of adoption was noticed in case of high yielding varieties and sowing
cowpea as green manure crop along with direct sown paddy crop, medium level of adoption in maintainign
optimum plant population, application of balanced organic manures and fertilizers and use of herbicides
under direct sown rainfed conditions. Low level adoption was noticed among non participating farmers in
adopting high yielding varieties, maintenance of optimum plant population and application of balanced
organic manures and fertilizers. None of them adopted herbicides and sowing cowpea as green manure crop
along with direct sown paddy crop.
INTRODUCTION
Rice production systems in coastal agro-ecosystem are diverse in nature with its socio economic,
agricultural features and constraints. Assessment of location specific technologies in rice production can
ensure higher productivity and profitability in well defined farm production systems. The resource poor
farmers with small operational holdings, and the diversity in farming systems, can look forward to
technological options through participatroy technology development, assessment and refinement. Stability,
sustainability and productivity in small farm production systems can be achieved through participatory,
demand driven, assessment and adoption process. It is the farmers who hold the keys for developing,
evaluating and validating the technologies in a system context (John, 1993). An evaulation study was
conducted on the performance of the selected interventions in rice production technologies and the extent of
adoption by the participating and non participating farmers.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXAT No 3 & 4, 2004
Agricnnics and Agribusiness Centres:
Performance and Prospects.
Indrami Lahiri*
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted one year after the agri-business centre scheme was launched by the government
involing 236 agri-entrepreneurs. The agri-entrepreneurs were from 11 states and among them Karnataka had
the maximum number within the first year of the scheme launch. This was followed by Rajasthan,
Maharastra, Gujrat and Andhara Pradesh. Although the study was conducted during the first year of the
scheme, the larger response was from states which have traditionally fostered enterprise and
enterepreneurship at the village level. The scheme offered loan to the agri-entrepreneurs financed by NA
BARD through nationalized /commercial banks, coopertaives, etc. Even with the incentives hardly a few
among the cases studied had obtained finance through the scheme and had set up their enterprise with their
own funds. Unfriendly lending policies at the state level, and the perception of banks that agrienterprise was
a risky venture resulted in very little credit flowing into such enterprises.
INTRODUCTION
For many years' agriculture extensions was mainly the monopoly of the public sector. However, with the
changing scenario brought about by globalization, commercialization and the free trade regime, the scope of
agriculture has enlarged and seen a dramatic shift. There has been a growing recognition that public
extension by itself cannot meet the specific needs of various regions and different classes of farmers. The
post WTO era has made the task of the extension worker even more challenging as the pull of market forces
has created a demand among farmers for information on diversification, post harvest management and
export orientation. Farmers are now required to adopt a wider range of inputs and practices, and develop
skills for their more efficient use. Keeping this in mind the policy framework for Agricultural Extension
outlined by the Task Force on Agricultural Extension (2004), Department of Agriculture and Cooperation,
Ministry of Agriculture, GOI recognized the role of a multi agency dispensation comprising different
strengths. It was also recognized that the policy environment will have to promote private extension to
operate in roles that complement, supplement, work in partnership, and even substitute for public extension.
While on one hand there is a huge demand for services and information about better technologies at the farm
level, there is a corresponding lack of employment opprotunities for agriculture professionals in public
sector. The Agricultural Universities in the country including the affiliated colleges outside the State
Agriculture University system are annually producing about 11,900 graduates out of which only around
2000 (16.8%) are able to avail of employment opportunities in various public and private sector agencies.
The remaining manpower remains either underutilized or unutilized (DAC, MOA, 2004). Rising
unemployment among agricultural graduates and market forces unleashed by the phenomenon of
globalization and opening of world economics has necessitated that hence forth agricultural graduates
should not be mere degree holders but must be professionals who can measure up to the emerging issues and
concerns (Katyal 2004). A system needed to be put in place so that the large reservoir of graduates in the
agriculture sector could be tapped for providing farmer support services through agri -clinics and / or
agribusiness centers, thus supplementing the efforts of the governmant and public sector agencies, and
filling the critical gaps theriein. Keeping this in mind the Central Sector scheme for setting up of a network
of Agri-clinics and Agribusiness Centres was launched by the. Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India with
the aim to gainfully utilize the services and skills of agricultural graduates for supporting agriculture and
allied activities excluding direct agricultural operation, and make available better quality services to
farmers. This study was undertaken to assess the profile of the initial batch of agricultural professionals who
took the benefit of the scheme, and to understand the factors that governed the response of agriculture
professionals in our country to promote entrepreneurship.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Participation and Role of Women
in Panchayats
Angad Prasad* and N. Narahari Singh*ABSTRACT
The study is based on an assessment of women panchayat member's role. The respondents comprised 50
panchayat representatives and 250 women members. Findings revealed the Women Panchayat members
largely belong to younger age group 26-40 years, upper caste, large family, medium to high income group
and educated upto high school. In running the affairs of the Panchayat they depended heavily on their
husbands. Majority (62%) had contested election due to family pressure, as the seats are reserved for
women. As leaders, their major concerns for development of their villages included better roads, streets,
drainage, improvement in water reservoirs and conservation of natural resources.
INTRODUCTION
To have better participation of women in decision making the seventy third Amendment Bill 1991 of
Constitution was made and accordingly 33.33 per cent reservation for women at each level of democratic
set-up from village to district level was accorded. Although, it has been implemented, yet active
participation of women is lacking in these institutions. This study envisages to assess the extent of
participation of rural women and to identify the causes for their low participation in Panchayats with the
following objectives to assess the level of involvement of women members in village Panchayats, measure
their expected role, mode of participation and assess the constraints in active participation in the democratic
institutions.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX- No 3 & 4, 2004
Self Help Groups- Issues and Constraints
Ritta Jain*, R. K. Kuthawala**
ABSTRACT
Self-help Groups of women in rural U.P. were studied in terms of constraints and strategies. For the study,
250 farm women members of SHGS were selected randomly. The overall major findings indicate that the
majority of the respondents were unware about the rules of Bank', `lacked knowledge of record keeping' and
were 'unable to do the formalities of Bank' during the formation of SHGs. In operation of SHGs the overall
major constraints were 'too many women members seek loan simultaneously', `women do not attend
meeting on time', `faced problem in loaning' and 'quarrelled with each other'. The starategies related to
better SHG's formation are `women should work toward their own financial independence, 'have proper
coordination between Bank Manager and SHG members and women should have trust among other
members of the group'. Strategies for SHGs operation are `women should come on time for the meetings
and actively participate in the meeting', 'proper training about group functioning' and 'cooperation among
the members of SHGs must be improved'.
INTRODUCTION
The promotion of self-help groups (SHGs) by external intervention is of recent origin. There appears to be a
fairly good progress of developmental acitivities which have helped to attain bigger goals like
empowerment of women. The progress of SIIGs is limited in terms of spread, they certainly seem to hold a
good potential in the field of rural credit. Based on such an assessment NABARD has an ambitious plan of
expanding SHG's all over the country and promote them as instruments, which can supplement the
institutional agencies in effectively reaching the rural poor. The Self help Groups are said to have a great
potential in accelerating the pace of the rural development, hence it was considered worth while to analyze
the group development from close quarters to assess the constraints associated with the Self-help Groups
and to suggest the strategies to overcome the constraints related to Self-Helf Groups.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Watershed Technology in Rainfed Areas:
Constraints Analysis
J. P. Yadav* and K.D. Sharma*
ABSTRACT
Agricultural production in the state of Rajasthan is mainly dependent upon monsoon rains. Therefore,
watershed development is very important. Efforts of the state government are encouraging the farmers in
adoption of watershed technology for agricultural production and soil conservation. The study conducted in
four districts of Jaipur watershed region of Rajasthan aimed to find out the constraints faced by the farmers
and the solutions for effective implemention and adoption of watershed technology. The results of the study
showed that constraints related to organisation of various groups at watershed level were the most important
perceived by the farmers, second was the constraint related to soil and water conservation, followed by
constraint in crop production, agro-forestry and dryland horticulture, household production system and
livestock management. Proper and fair selection of watershed Secretary and Volunteers, publicity of
constitution of all committees were the most important suggestions by the farmers for adoption of
technology for watershed development.
INTRODUCTION
The agricultural production in the state of Rajasthan is mainly dependent upon monsoon rains. Rainfall in
Rajasthan is generally irregular, scanty, untimely and unevenly distributed with prolonged drought period:-
The natural resources like soil, water, and vegetation of the state are under tremendous stress due to ever
increasing biotic pressures, pollution, deforestation, sand dune shifting, land degradation, lowering of water
table and continuous drought. As a result, there is prevalence of unemployment and poverty problems. Thus,
to provide the much required thrust for development of the rainfed agriculture on watershed basis, the state
Government setup a separate Department of Watershed Development and Soil Conservation in January,
1991. Despite the efforts of the state government adoption of water shed technology is not at par with the
expectations. Hence, the present study was undertaken to understand the "Constraints faced by beneficiary
farmers of NWDPRA in adoption of watershed technology" and find solutions through their suggestions for
effective implementation and adoption of watershed technology.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Appropriateness of Sericulture Technologies
as Perceived by the Farmers
V. L. Madhu Prasad*, Y. Katteppa"* and K. P. Raghu prasad*
INTRODUCTION
Any technology to be appropriate should have less initial cost, less maintenance cost, save more time, save
discomfort, require less physical and skilled labourers, be highly profitable, show immediacy and regularity
of returns, utilize locally available resources, consistency and in harmony with 7ervious experience, present
practices, existing implements, -.allies, beliefs and norms and needs and interests, easy to Inderstand and
use, less risky, and triable on small scale basis .vith observable results. The major objective of this study
was zo evaluate the appropriateness of seri cultural technologies as perceived by the farmers.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Status of Women Training Programmes and Infrastructure
Facilities in KVKs of Punjab
Preeti Sharma* and N. Mahajan**
ABSTRACT
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are the first line institutions for imparting vocational training to the farmers,
farmwomen and rural youth. For the training, it is necessary to provide the infrastructure and other facilities
to the trainees. Data were collected through mailed questionnaire from thirty training organizers, assistant
professors (Home science) and demonstrators (Home science) of each KVK of Punjab and Zonal
Coordinator, ICAR, PAU, Ludhiana. The findings revealed that most of the on and off campus trainings
were conducted in the areas of Food and Nutrition and Clothing & Textiles. Maximum 14 on campus
courses in the year 1999-2000 were conducted at KVK, Kapurthala. The number of off campus courses
ranged from 1-6 per KV K. The output of on campus trainings at most of the KVKs was satisfactory except
at KVK, Kapurthala, Kheri (Sangrur) and flahowal (Hoshiarpur). The output of off campus training courses
in Home science was satisfactory in most of the KVKs of Punjab except at KVK, Ferozpur. The
infrastructural facilities were also studied and it was found that most lacked hostel separately for women and
audio-visual laboratory. They lacked special purpose tools and labor saving devices in Home Science
laboratory. Most of the KVKs had modern audio-visual aids and equipments but lacked some essential and
commonly used audio-visual aids and equipemnts like sets of flash cards, charts, photographs,
transparencies, filmstrips, etc. They needed modern and advanced equipments for advanced and effective
trainings.
INTRODUCTION
Women play a significant role in the society. She is a homemaker and is increasingly becoming a
breadwinner The rural women are illiterate, have lower status in society and suffering from poor,
deteriorating health conditions. They lack the knowledge of modern labor saving devices and facilities to
relieve their drudgeries at home, They lack nutrition education and have poor knowledge of child rearing
practices. Thus there is a need to organize training programmes to educate and impart knowledge to the
rural women for their physical, social and economic empowerment.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) all over the
country to impart skill and need based vocational training to the farmers, farmwomen and rural youth
(anonymous 1997). They help to improve the spiritual, psychological, social health and nutritional status of
rural women and their families.
Thus, to find out the output of women training programmes organized by KVKs as also to assess the extent
of infrastructural facilities available especially for farm women's training this research was conducted with
the following objectives:
To measure the output of training programmes in terms of, targets achieved.
To study the infrastructural facilities at the KVKs especially for organising farm women's training.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Labour Bank Experiment In Kerala
Lijo Thomas* and Siddayya**
ABSTRACT
The perception on strengths and opportunities by the members of the Labour Bank out weighed the
weakness and threats. A positive out look of the members ensures success of the endeavour, enhancing the
capacities of the agricultural labour and providing them with an opportunity to be organised for better
quality of life. The major threat perceived was destabilization due to politicization which needs to be
checked in the overall interest of development and betterment of agricultural labour.
INTRODUCTION
The decentralization drive in the state of Kerala which started in 1996 visualised sustainable development in
all sectors of the economy. Kerala Panchayat Act, 1994 based on the framework of central legislation
brought in the new paradigm of planning from below. The three tier Panchayat Raj system came into
existence in the State on October 2, 1995. On 16th July 1996, the Planning Board officially announced
decentralised planning in Kerala. The Primary objective of the campaign was to ensure that the Panchayat
Raj bodies prepared and prioritised a set of integrated schemes, in a scientific manner and consequently
evolved a functionally relevant and purposeful peoples participation. The enthusiastic reponse of the people
to the concept of local level planning resulted in the birth of many local level insitutions. One among them
was the Labour Bank. The capital of Labour Bank is the working capacity of the registered labourers. The
bank lends, for a short period, the working capacity of the labourers. This aspect, i.e., transaction of real
labour as a loan through an institution makes it an innovative approach to address the development crisis of
the economy. Labour bank is an attempt to mobilise rural manpower potential in a useful manner to benefit
the society as a whole. A rigorous enquiry needs to be conducted into the efficacy of this type of labour
institution which could have far reaching implications for the future of the local area development planning.
The study was conducted with the objective to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
associated with the labour bank in Kunnathukal village Panchayat located at the southern tip of the state
bordering Kanyakumari village of the state of Tamil Nadu.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Training Needs of Vegetable Growers of Punjab
Sandip Singh*, D.S. Ladhar** and S.K.Saini
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted in Malerkotla and Ahmedgath blocks of Malerkotla Tehsil in Sangrur district with
the specific objectives (i) to identify the subject - matter areas of vegetable cultivation in which the
vegetable growers need training (ii) to determine the training needs of farmers with respect to selected
subject - matter areas and sub- areas of vegetable cultivation. Most of the vegetable growers belonged to
middle aged group, and crop medium land holding and growing experience. The identified areas were seven
and training needs of farmers with respect to three identified areas were determined. It was found that all the
respondents had medium training need intensity in all the selected areas of vegetable cultivation. In the area
o: seed and its sowing, the sub-area time of trensplanting had high training need intensity.
INTRODUCTION
Vegetable farming refers to growing of vegetable crops for commercial and domestic purposes. Due to
advancement of technology in vegetable cultivation, there is a great need to train the vegetable growers.
Bains (1980) defined training as a kind of learining process in which an individual gets to internalize desired
knowledge, skills and attitude resulting in increased ability to perform specific jobs in better ways. Training
should be based on the package of practices and synchronised with the needs and requirements of farmers
like selection of seeds, methods of nursery raising and preparation, seed rate, transplantation, irrigation,
manuring and fertilization, plant protection measures, grading, processing, marketing, storing and
transportation. Therefore, the farmers require high level of technical knowledge in these areas for bringing
the increase in per acre yield and overall production of vegetables.
There is a strong need to train the farmers regarding package of practices for improving their productivity
and increasing income of the farmers. Thus, for organising effective training programmes. it is very
essential for the planners and specialists to know about the training needs of vegetable growers. Therefore,
the present study was planned with the objective to identify the subject - matter areas of vegetable
cultivation in which the vegetable growers need training.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXIX No 3 & 4, 2004
WTO Implications : Perception of Scientists
Nguyen Cong Thanhi *, Baldeo Singh,** & Poonam Sharma***
ABSTRACT
To study opinions and the attitude of scientists about WTO implications on Indian agriculture such as the
affect of TRIPs, removal of QRs, private sector participation, impact of AoA, Patenting System, etc., the
present research was conducted with 90 agricultural scientists {Principle scientists (PS); Senior Scientists
(SS) and Scientists (S)-30 each}. A specially designed questionnaire was used to assess their opinions and
attitude regarding WTO implications in agriculture. One of the important finding was only 21 per cent of
scientists supported the globalization of agriculture. About 51.0 and 28.0 percent of them had medium and
low favourable attitudes. Hence, we can say that most of scientists did not support globalization of
agriculture. And from this result, we can understand that why people all over the world have turned to
protest against globalization.
INTRODUCTION
India has approached WTO and AoA with the awareness that the emerging world trade liberalization is
bringing both a challenge and an opportunity. The changing scenario warrants the formulation of a strategy
to counter the challenges and capitalize the opportunity. Liberalization of world trade under WTO
agreements in agriculture has opened up new prospects of growth. Developing countries have found it as an
opportunity to exploit their agricultural potential for export.
Liberalization of world trade also opened the door for foreign investment in agriculture through production,
processing. marketing, etc., and the private sector will increasingly provide a variety of agro-services.
Another opportunity in liberalization of world trade is the flow of agricultured inputs, machines, new
technologies, and other required facilities to serve for agricultural production and the life of farmers.
Important challenge is the ability of Indian agriculture sector to meet the stipulation of WTO agreements.
The huge amount of subsidy being continued by the US and EU, the indifferent attitude of the rich nations
towards implementation of agreed resolution and the most urgent need for India to initiate long-term policy
measures for making our farm sector viable and sustainable to face competition in literna tiona I markets.
Besides the ability to satisfy the multiple and high standards of different markets/countries in exporting
products. With the WTO Agreement on agriculture, we are finding that the production techniques and
productivity of recent Indian farming are not able to compete with those of industrial farming endowed with
technology, capital, and subsidies.
The research aimed to study the scientists' opinions about WTO and their view points on the globalization of
agriculture, provides insight into this issue in the process of globalization. It would be useful in planning our
strategy to educate scientific community and others about the WTO and its implication in agriculture to
cope with the challenges and to woo the vast opportunities of globalization of agriculture.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Vegetable Cultivation in Punjab: Shift from Traditional crops
Anil Sharma* L. K Sharma G. S. Khurana'
ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to know the "Reasons contributing to shift of land from traditional crops
to vegetables and problems faced there of. A list of vegetable growers of all the selected villages having
minimum one acre of land under vegetable cultivation was prepared and a proportionate sample of two
hundred vegetable growers was selected from the villages of Jalandhar and Moga districts of Punjab.
Majority of the respondents (90.5%) started vegetable cultivation due to the reasons of easy cash payment.
Maximum area under summer vegetables was 26 acres and 63 acres in winter season. More than fifty per
cent of the respondents were interested to increase area under vegetable cultivation. 60.5 per cent of the
respondents faced the problem of high cost of fertilizers whereas 48.5 per cent respondents faced the
problem of complex procedure for getting loans from banks. 97.5 per cent reported that there was no
minimum support price fixed by government for their produce, whereas 79.0, 46.0, 38.0 and 51.5 per cent
respondents faced the problems of vegetable glut in the market, lack of regulated market, lack of storage
facilities and exploitation by commission agents respectively.
INTRODUCTION
Vegetables occupy an important place in diversification of agriculture and have played a pivotal role in food
and nutritional security of ever growing population of our country. India is largely a vegetarian society
solely depending on vegetables for bulk of their nutritional requirement. With the green revolution, we have
been able to achieve self-sufficiency in food supply quantitatively but qualitatively still much has to be
done.Vegetables are very valuable for adding quality component to the food, as they are rich source of
minerals vitamins and other nutrients. India, bestowed with variable soil and climatic conditions, has the
excellent potential for growing both the tropical and temperate vegetables. Vegetable farming is important
for the small farmers as 78 per cent farmers of our country are small and marginal. Vegetables are short
duration crops and they provide regular income to meet the day to day requirements of a family. Vegetable
crops are useful in rotational system of farming to maintain the fertility of the soil (Singh1984). Vegetable
growing not only provide distinct opportunities for increasing the availability of balanced food but also offer
better crop diversification, crop intensification and more income per unit. A shifting trend towards vegetable
cultivation has been observed in Punjab. While there are some advantages some problems too have been
observed in order to know the existing situation of vegetable growing particularly in Jalandhar and Moga
districts of Punjab, the present stu was undertaken.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Research Note
Motives for Cultivation of Cotton
G.D. Satish Kumar* and B.V. Sudershan Rao**
INTRODUCTION
Motivation is the process of initiating a conscious and purposeful action. It is goal directed and need
satisfying behaviour of an individual. Human motives are based on needs, whether felt consciously .Some
are primary needs such as the physiological requirements for water, air, food, sleep and shelter. Other needs
may be regarded as secondary, such as self-esteem, status, affiliation with others, affection, giving
accomplishment and self assertion (Koontz and Weirich, 1988). One of the most widely mentioned theories
of motivation is the hierarchy of needs theory put forth by Abraham Maslow, 1954. Every act of human is
governed by some or the other motives. Preferences for cultivation of a particular type of crop by farmers
are also governed by some human motives.
Cotton, a commercial crop has grown in rapid strides all over the districts of Andhra Pradesh with a humble
beginning in 1969 ,The state has cotton on 10.07 laks production of 18.049 laks tones in 1997-98, heavy
rains followed by severe dry spells coupled with outbreak of Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura
resulted in severe damage of the cotton crop in the state. ,about 300 farmers had committed suicides.
Telangana region accounted fig 89 per cent of total suicides,(Parthasarathy and Shameem,1998). Warangal
district With an area., of 99,200 hactares under cotton crop had registered 150 such suicides.
Pandy, (1985) defined Suicide as an index to the relative degree of social disorganization in society and the
processes by which group relationships are broken. According to Satish and Sudershan (2001) the important
reasons for this social disorganization, that resulted in suicides of farmers were incidence of pests and
diseases, debts to money lenders, high cost of cultivation, lack of knowledge and skills in cotton cultivation,
family problems, tenant farming, spurious pesticides, and lack of irrigation water. Despite this social
disorganization, farmers of the region are still quite motivated to take up cotton cultivation. Therefore, the
present study was taken up during 1998 with an objective to know the motives for cultivation of cotton in
Warangal district.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Research Note
Storage Losses in Pad
M. Choudhury*, M. Saikia Baruah**, and C. Mahanta***,
INTRODUCTION
Storage of foodgrains has been in practice since time immemorial. It is estimated that 70.0 to 76.0 per cent
of the total foodgrains production are stored at farm level for varying period in a variety of indigenous
storage structures which are neither moisture proof nor rat proof. Girish (1990) had reported that storage at
farm level was not satisfactory and results in quantitative and qualitative losses. It is well established fact
that there is extensive loss of grains on storage. This loss occurs largely due to the grain pests. The grains
get contaminated with varous unhygienic items like uric acid, urine, hair, excreta. etc. This leads not only to
loss of financial returns to the farmers but also results in causing harm to the consumers. Therefore, it is
necessary to minimize losses in stored grains. The present study was undertaken to estimate the quantitative
loss of paddy during storage in different storage structures.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Research Note
Evaluation of Frontline Demonstration on Mustard
In Sunderbans, West Bengal
R.L. Sagar* and Ganesh Chandra**
INTRODUCTION
The oilseeds scenario in the country has undergone a sea change. The main contributors to such
transformations have been i) availability of improved oilseeds production technology and its adoption, ii)
expansion of cultivated area,iii) price support policy, iv) institutional support, particularly establishment
oftechnology mission on oilseeds in 1986 (Hedge 2004). The production of rapeseed and mustard in India
for the year 2003-2004 was 71 lakh tones. Rapeseed and mustard production in India achieved three fold
increase in the last two decades. Mustard has emerged as an important crop from the states like Gujarat,
M.P., Rajasthan, whereas it recorded negative growth in UP and Punjab. The technology development with
regard to improved varieties and other inputs have played important role in raising productivity (Singh
2003). Sunderbans, the largest delta on the planet earth, has its population wholly dependent on agriculture
and allied activities. Rice is the main crop grown in this area. The mustard crop is mainly cultivated in rabi
"season in uplands and medium land with residual soil moisture. With the start of technology mission on
oilseeds, frontline demonstration on mustard using new crop production technology was started with the
objectives of showing the productive potential of the new production technologies under real farm situation
over the locally cultivated mustard crop.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Research Note
Indicants of Economic Status of Soyabean Farmers
Ranjan K. Singh* and L.N. Sharma**
INTRODUCTION
An effort was made to search out the ways and methods, developed by the soybean growers to measure
performance of recommended soybean production technology among the resource-rich and resource-poor
farmers under varying micro-farming situations. It was considered necessary to use and develop indicators
to identify and categorize farmers in resource-rich (RR) and resource-poor (RP) categories. Lack of any
standard scale or method to make the classification- of micro-farming situations was one of the challenging
issues for the reserchers.
The study was carried out to get farmers' participation and use their wisdom in developing the measure for
assessing the performance of soybean production technology
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Research Note
Constraints in Adoption of Integrated Pest Management
Practices by Rice Farmers
B. Krishnamurthy, A. D. Rangalliath and C. Vanith
INTRODUCTION
Intergrated pest management refers to the management of pests by using preventive and curative measures
through judicious combinations of cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical means (Lakshminarayan,
1998). The degree to which farmers adopt IPM practices depends on their characteristics, ability to identify
the pests, the specific symptoms and damages caused by the pests, ability to identify the natural enemies,
familiarity with recommended practices, availability of bio control agents and availability of resources for
executing them. The present study was undertaken to know :he constraints faced by the rice farmers in
adoption of IPM practices under the novel methodology 'farmer field school (FFS) approach'.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Research Note
Fuel Wood Collection From Forests
Kiranjot Sidhu, V. Randhawa, Shelly Mehta and Amarjit Kaur*
INTRODUCTION
India's rural economy largely centres on forest ecosystem. The forests have traditionally been the main
source of energy for mankind. In India about sixty nine per cent of energy consumption is met from fuel
wood (Khosla, 1999). This proportion is significantly higher in area in the vicinity of forests. Although it is
a renewable energy source, but with population of the country having crossed one billion mark the pressure
on the forest is increasing with the increase in demand. The situation is further aggrevated by lack of
afforestation activities. The detrimentel results of high pressure on forests have shown in the form of
disturbed ecosystem, erratic rainfall and recurrent soil erosion.
Rural women and forests are inextricably linked. Disadvantaged groups like the landless and the rural
women ale severely affected by the degradation of forest cover in many parts of the world because they
depend on the forest resource for fuel wood. This problem is more prominent in -2-_e foot hill ecosystem of
Shivaliks in Punjab where women imilect fuel wood from the forest utilizing their time and energy. with
non avaiability of alternative energy sources to the poor 'copulation residing in the area, the judicious
management of TT_ e forest resource is important. Keeping this concern in view study was planned with the
following objectives:

To study the biophysical and socio-cultural conditions of the area.
• To explore the existing management practices and perception of rural women regarding management of
forest fuel wood.
• To develp eco-freindly interventions for better management of fuel wood and measure its acceptability by
local women.
Indian Journal of Extension Education
Vol XXXX No 3 & 4, 2004
Research Note
Pardcipatory Watershed Development
In Meghalaya
K.S. Kadian*
INTRODUCTI0N
A watershed is the land area from whcih surface water drains into a single outlet. Watershed development
(WSD) as a technical intervention has three basic pruposes, viz., arresting further degradation of land,
improving the natural resources and ensuring fuller utilization of its production potential. Well managed
watershed development in hill region would alleviate poverty in less well-endowed areas. Watershed
development is an opportunity to initiate the communities to think beyond the present and their field
boundaries., and to help them act collectively. Community participation is defined here as people acting in
groups to influence the direction and outcome of development work that affect them. Participation in
watershed development pi ogrammes requires, at a minimum, an implementing agency that involves the
community in analyaing soil and water conservation problem and identify the strateges to allaiate them the
wherever needed, implementing organizations need to work with communities to intiate collective process.
This process, which we refer to as social organization, is critical in watershed development because it
distributes benefits and costs unevenly and calls for shared sacrifice to manage common lands. The
participation of local people in such programmes is much required for effective implementation because
without protection and care the programme will not run smoothly. The present study was undertaken to
assess the extent of people's participation in watershed development and assess the relationship between the
socio economic variables with participation.