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Subject: Agricultural Extension × Author: KAU × End date: 1991 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    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; KAU; 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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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    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; KAU; 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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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Managerial efficiency of cassava farmers
    (Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1991) Asnantharaman, M; KAU; 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Study of differential adoption of improved farm practices in relation to reference group influence and community norms
    (Faculty of the Post Graduate School, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 1966) Sankaran Potti, V S; KAU; Sharma, S K
    This research study, entitled "A study of differential adoption of improved farm practices in relation to reference group influence and community norms" was conducted during the period 1964-1965 in Khanjawala block in the Union Territory of Delhi. The objectives of the study have been: (1) To study adoption of farm practices as a function of reference group influence. (2) To find out the composition of reference groups which influence adoption behaviour. (3) To study the influence of community innovativeness norms on individual innovativeness. (4) To study the extent to which community innovativeness norms are related to other community characteristics. Three villages, out of the total of fifty six villages in Khanjawala block, representing three different types of community as social system norms, namely, modern, transitional and traditional were selected for the study. The respondents of the study constited of 222 farmers representing the total number of heads of farming families residing in these three villages.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Analysis of reading comprehension of agricultural articles in daily newspaper by farmers in Kerala State
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 1988) Ranjan, S Karippai; KAU; Sethu Rao, M K
    In all phases of development communication of innovations has been accepted as a vital element. Various intwerpersonal and mass media are being utilised by the development agencies to assist in the transfer of technology to the rural areas, where the attention is being focussed in all developing nations. Among the various mass media, print media, particularly newspapers play an important role in places where literacy of the population is relatively high. Newspapers have become very powerful in communication in Kerala State, which rank first in literacy in India, with a wider readership status and a variety of contents including development messages.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Sequential analysis of constraints in increasing production of rice and coconut in Kerala
    (Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1989) Prakash, R; KAU; Thyagarajan Nair, G
    The study aimed at identifying the production constraints of rice and coconut and measuring the validity of identified constraints in selected production centres.The solutions to the identified constraints were also collected and their feasibility rated in order to formulate appropriate development strategies for increasing production of rice and coconut in Kerala. The study was conducted in all the NARP regions of the State, namely, Southern, Central, Northern, High Range and Problem Regions. The respondents of the study comprised of 160 farmers each for the identification and validation of constraints and 100 Research Workers, 100 Extension Workers and 57 Input Agencies for the indentification of constraints. To identify the production constraints of rice and coconut, Delphi technique – the methodology for elicitation of expert opinion – was used. Date from the farmers were collected using pre-tested structured interview schedules. Conversion of lands, drought and lack of irrigation were the major production constraints of rice ranked according to their importance in the Southern Region while nonavailability of FYM, low profitability and high cost of production were the constraints ranked high in the Central Region. High difficulty in cultivation, nonavailability of FYM and fragmentation were the production constraints of rice ranked high in the Northern Region. High wage rate of agricultural labour, indebtedness and high cost of production ranked high in the High Range Region. In the Problem Region, floods, low profitability and high cost of FYM were the high ranked production constraints of rice.In the case of coconut, lack of irrigation, drought and high wage rte of agricultural labour were the high ranking production constraints in the southern Region while low adoption of chemical fertilizers, high cost of fertilizers and lack of irrigation ranked high in the Central Region. In the Northern Region, the high ranking constraints were low adoption of plant protection chemicals, high cost of fertilizers and low labour productivity whereas high cost of seedings, high cost of fertilizers and pests and disease incidence ranked high in the High Range Region. Root (Wilt) diseases, high wage rate of agricultural labour and high cost of plant protection chemicals were the high ranking production constraints of coconut in the Problem Region. In the Southern Region, the production constraints of rice, namely, low adoption of chemical fertilizers, lack of knowledge about chemical fertilizers, negative attitude towards plant protection chemicals, absentee landlordism, negative attitude towards HYV, low adoption of HYV and small farm size were found to be individually significant in predicting the yield of rice. Negative attitude towards HYV, low adoption of HYV, low labour productivity and lack of irrigation were individually found to be significant in predicting the yield of rife in the Central Region. In the Northern Region, the constraints namely, high cost of chemical fertilizers, low adoption of chemical fertilizers, indebtedness, lack of credit facilities and high incidence of pests and disease were found to be individually significant in predicting the yield of rice. Low adoption of HYV, incidence of pests and diseases, high cost of chemical fertilizers, low adoption of plant progection chemicals were found to be individually significant in prediction the yield of rice in the High Range Region. In the Problem Region, the constraints, namely, low adoption of plant protection chemicals, low adoption of chemical fertilizers, floods and incidence of pests and diseases were found to be significant in predicting the yield. The production constraints of coconut individually significant in predicting the yield in the Southern Region were low adoption of chemical fertilizers, drought and lack of irrigation. In the Central Region, lack of irrigation, lack of knowledge about plant protection chemicals, low adoption of chemical fertilizers and incidence of pests and diseases were found to be individually significant in predicting the yield of coconut. In the High Range Region the constraints namely nonavailability of quality seedings, small farm size, incidence of pests and diseases were individually significant in predicting the yield while low adoption of chemical fertilizers, incidence of pests and diseases and incidence of root (wilt) disease were significant production constraints in the Problem Region. Evolving varieties suited to different agro-climatic regions, promoting group farming, popularising cultivation of green manure seeds, providing fertilizer subsidy, providing crop insurance, fixing support price for paddy were found to be the most feasible steps to be taken for increasing production of rice in Kerala. Adoption of moisture conservation practices, decentralised nursery for coconut, supply of seedlings through Krishibhavans, large scale production of hybrid coconut, scientific replanting and underplanting programme and subsidising chemical fertilizers are the steps to be undertaken to increase the production of coconut in the State. Based on the results of the study, certain important implications have been spelt out.