Theses

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Open Access
Analysis of saelected development programmes for promoting coconut production in Kerala
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Jinadevan, R; KAU; Prakash, R
The present study under the title “An analysis of selected development programmes for promoting coconut production in Kerala” was undertaken to understand the level of awareness, attitude, knowledge and adoption behaviour of farmers in relation to selected coconut development programmes. The analysis covered the response pattern of both beneficiary and non – beneficiary farmers to different variables. The constraints faced by both the group of farmers in the adoption of recommended practices and by the Agricultural officers in the implementation of the programmes were also analyzed. The study was conducted in Alappuzha district and covered the following development programmes : i) Scheme for expansion of area under coconut. ii) Scheme for providing assistance for developing irrigation facilities. iii) Integrated farming in coconut small holdings for productivity improvement. The sample consisted of 120 randomly selected beneficiary farmers, 40 each under each programme and 60 non beneficiary farmers and 50 agricultural officers. Data were collected using interview schedule and questionnaire and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of data. The study revealed that beneficiary farmers awareness, attitude, knowledge and adoption of the recommended practices, though partial in some aspects, was significantly influenced by the coconut development programmes. Practice wise adoption by farmers revealed that use of hybrid varieties of seedlings for new planting was the least adopted practice. There was a tendency among the farmers to switch over to west cost tall and other varieties. Comparison of adoption behaviour of farmers under the three selected development programmes showed that the extent of adoption of recommended practices was higher in new planting area compared to other areas. It was also found that the level of awareness, attitude, knowledge and adoption was higher in the case of beneficiary farmers compared to non beneficiaries. The results of the constraint analysis revealed the need for more attention to timely supply of coconut seedings, adoption of the labour saving group management practice and training programme of coconut development Board for the unemployed youths in plant protection and palm climbing. The results pointed out the need for proper co-ordination and linkage between various agencies involved in implementing coconut development programmes, simplifying the procedure in availing assistance under the programmes, starting field level offices, by Coconut Development Board in the model of Rubber Board and for proper planning and improvement in the pattern of implementation of coconut development programmes for accomplishing the cherished goals.
Open Access
Communication behaviour of women,heading farm families in Neyyattinkara taluk
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Anitha Menon, K; KAU; Babu, B
A study on the Communication Behaviour of women heading farm families was carried out in five Krishibhavan areas under Neyyanttinkara taluk of Thiruvananthapuram district. Fifty women engaged in paddy cultivation and fifty from coconut cultivation formed the total sample of hundred respondents. The study was aimed to measure Communication Behaviour including Inward Exposure and Outward Exposure and to compare between the women cultivating paddy and the women cultivating coconut with regard to the dependent and independent variables of the study. It was also aimed to find the characteristics of women which influence Communication Behaviour, the relationship and the direct and indirect effects of these characteristics on Communication Behaviour. The data were collected using pre- tested structured interview schedule. The study revealed that the farm women in paddy cultivation had a high level of Inward Exposure. Women cultivating paddy were equally distributed in the low and high level of Outward Exposure categories and low level of Inward and Outward Exposure was noticed in majority of women cultivating coconut. The farm women had a low level of Communication Behaviour. Irrespective of the difference in the crop cultivated, the women did not differ significantly with regard to Inward Exposure, Outward Exposure, Communication Behaviour, and other selected characteristics. The characteristic profile study revealed that the respondents were middle aged and had a medium level of education (ie., upto high school) with a marginal farm size below 0.4ha. The women cultivating paddy had high level of social participation, cosmopoliteness, management orientation, scientific orientation, adoption of improved agricultural practices in paddy and knowledge about improved agricultural practices in paddy. With regard to women cultivating coconut, a medium level of social participation, high level of cosmopoliteness, scientific orientation, adoption of improved agricultural practices in coconut and a low level of management orientation were noticed. The women in coconut cultivation were distributed equally in the low and high level of knowledge about improved agricultural practices in coconut. The correlation co-efficients revealed that the selected characteristics of women were significantly correlated with Communication Behaviour and the correlation was positive except with the variable ‘age’. Path analysis results revealed that the maximum positive direct effect on Communication Behaviour was exerted by ‘knowledge about improved agricultural practices’ and ‘social participation’ with regard to women cultivating paddy and coconut respectively. The maximum positive indirect effect was exerted by ‘Adoption of improved agricultural practice’ and ‘knowledge about improved agricultural practices’ with regard to women cultivating paddy and coconut respectively.
Open Access
Adoption of improved agricultural practices by pepper growers of Idukki district
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Gangadharan, K K; KAU; Padmanabhan, V B
The study on the adoption of improved agricultural practices in pepper was conducted in Idukki district of Kerala with the following objectives: 1) To study the extent of awareness of improved agricultural practices in pepper by pepper growers. 2) To study the extent of knowledge about improved agricultural practices in pepper by pepper growers. 3) To study the attitude of pepper growers towards improved agricultural practices in pepper. 4) To study the extent of adoption of improved agricultural practices in pepper. 5) To study the relationship between the extent of awareness, knowledge, attitude and adoption with the socio- psychological and economic characters of pepper growers; 6) To identify the constraints in adoption of improved agricultural practices in pepper and to suggest solutions to overcome the constraints. A total of 200 pepper growers were selected from 10 krishi bhavans for the study, using stratified two- stage sampling procedure. Data were collected by using a structured interview schedule during the months of June and July 1992. The important findings of the study were the following. A majority of pepper growers in the study area had medium level of awareness of improved agricultural practices in pepper. The independent variables, namely, education, scientific orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, cosmopoliteness, information source used, social participation, innovativeness, contact with extension agency and market orientation were positively and significantly related with awareness. But age was found negatively and significantly correlated with awareness of improved agricultural practices in pepper. Majority of pepper growers had medium level of knowledge about the improved agricultural practices in pepper. The independent variables, namely, education, scientific orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, cosmopoliteness, information source used, social participation, innovativeness, contact with extension agency and market orientation were positively and significantly related with knowledge of improved agricultural practices in pepper, whereas age was found negatively and significantly correlated with knowledge. In the case of attitude of pepper growers, majority of pepper growers had a medium level of attitude towards improved agricultural practices in pepper. Education, scientific orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, cosmopoliteness, information source used, social participation, innovativeness, contact with extension agency and market orientation were positively and significantly related with attitude of pepper growers towards improved agricultural practices in pepper. Age was found negatively and significantly correlated with attitude. A majority of pepper growers in the study area had medium level of adoption of improved agricultural practices in pepper. The independent variables namely, education, scientific orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, cosmopoliteness, information source used, social participation, innovativeness, contact with extension agency and market orientation were positively and significantly related with adoption of improved agricultural practices in pepper. Age was found negatively and significantly correlated with adoption. Step-wise regression analysis revealed that education was the most important variable in prediction of the extent of awareness, followed by scientific orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, cosmopoliteness, information source used, innovativeness, contact with extension agency and market orientation. The seven variables jointly explained 65 per cent of variation in extent of awareness of improved agricultural practices in pepper. Education alone contributed 41 per cent of variation in prediction. In the case of knowledge about improved agricultural practices in pepper, education was found as the most important variable in prediction, which alone contributed 50 per cent of variation in the extent of knowledge. The independent variables, namely, education, contact with extension agency, innovativeness, social participation, scientific orientation, risk orientation, information source used and market orientation had jointly explained about 74 per cent of variation in the extent of knowledge about improved agricultural practices in pepper. Scientific orientation was found as the most important variable in prediction of attitude of pepper growers towards improved agricultural practices in pepper. The variables, namely, scientific orientation, market orientation, educational status, risk orientation, innovativeness, social participation and age had jointly explained 67 per cent variation in the attitude of pepper growers towards improved agricultural practices in pepper. Scientific orientation alone contributed 41 per cent of variation in prediction. Education was found as the most important variable in the prediction of adoption of improved agricultural practices in pepper. This variable alone contributed 42 per cent of variation in prediction. Fifty nine per cent of variation was explained by the seven variables, namely, education, contact with extension agency, social participation, information source used, innovativeness, scientific orientation and market orientation. The pepper growers perceived the following as the major constraints in adoption of improved agricultural practices in the descending order of magnitude, extensive prevalence of pests and diseases, high cost of production inputs, lack of awareness of improved agricultural practices in pepper, traditional systems of cultivation, inadequate extension support, lack of sufficient good quality planting materials, inadequate research support, long duration of rainless period, fluctuating prices of black pepper, non-availability of literature on improved agricultural practices, non-availability of input materials and small and marginal size of holdings. The following were the solutions suggested to overcome important constraints in adoption of improved agricultural practices by pepper growers: Develop low cost technologies for the control of pests and diseases. Develop disease and drought tolerant varieties. Production and distribution of good quality planting materials. Adequate training to farmers about improved agricultural practices. Implementation of soil and moisture conservation measures. Proper marketing network coupled with remunerative price of black pepper. Supply of newer high yielding varieties to farmers.
Open Access
Study on the role perception and the role performance of the convenors of group farming committees of rice cultivation
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Jayasree Menon; KAU; Ranjan, S Karippai
The study on role performance of the convenors of Group Farming Committee was carried out using 150 respondents selected from Trichur and Palghat districts . The opinions of respondents towards the programme were collected by personally interviewing them Analysis of the data thus collected by personally interviewing them Analysis of the data thus collected indicated that the cosmopoliteness and training need were the most important independent variables positively influencing role perception . Training received by the convenors exerted a negative effect on the perception of their roles as convenors. Communication behaviour came first followed by knowledge and training need among the independent variables influencing role performance, constraints in implementing the programme exerted maximum indirect effect on other independent variables. It was also found that role perception was strongly correlated with role performance.
Open Access
Role of agricultural assistants in agricultural development in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Ahsa Letha, S; KAU; Mohammed Hussain, M
A study entitled “Role of Agricultural Assistants in Agricultural Development in Thiruvananthapuram District” was undertaken with a view to study the role of Agricultural Assistants in agricultural development. Role was measured by studying the role perception and role performance of Agricultural Assistants as perceived by the selected Agricultural Assistants, Agricultural Officers and farmers. Characteristics of Agricultural Assistants in relation to their role perception and role performance and the constraints experienced by the Agricultural Assistants in the effective performance of their roles were also analysed. The sample consisted of 84 Agricultural Assistants, 45 Agricultural Officers and 90 farmers. Data were collected from the Agricultural Assistants and Agricultural Officers using questionnaires and an interview schedule was prepared for collecting information from the farmers. Suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of the data. The results of the study indicated that the performance of Agricultural Assistants, though not excellent on all role items, was generally good. The perception of Agricultural Officers differed significantly from that of Agricultural Assistants and farmers about the role perception and role performance of Agricultural Assistants. But the Agricultural Assistants and farmers had almost similar opinion in both the role perception and role performance of Agricultural Assistants. The selected independent variables together contributed significantly to the variation in the role perception and role performance of the Agricultural Assistants. The results of constraint analysis revealed that ‘frequent transfers’, ‘too much office work’ and ‘lack of promotion opportunities and conveyance facilities’ were considered as the major constraints by the Agricultural Assistants in their effective performance. More sincere efforts must be taken by the State Government and higher officials of the State Department of Agriculture while chalking out new development programmes to be implemented through these grass root level workers.
Open Access
Welfare Schemes for Agricultural Labourers: A Multidimensional Analysis
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Fathimabi, P K; KAU; Prakash, R
The study, ‘Welfare Schemes for Agricultural Labourers – A Multidimensional Analysis’ was carried out with the following objectives. 1. To study the characteristic profile of agricultural labourers under KAWPS and KAWWFS. 2. To study the awareness of agricultural labourers about the modus operandi of KAWPS and KAWWFS. 3. To study the attitude of agricultural labourers towards KAWPS and KAWWFS. 4. To study the utility perception of agricultural labourers about KAWPS and KAWWFS. 5. To study the attitude of implementing officials towards KAWPS and KAWWFS. 6. To identify the constraints if any, experienced by agricultural labourers under KAWPS and KAWWFS and by officials in implementing the same. 7. To suggest the ways and means, to improve KAWPS and KAWWFS. The study was conducted in 10 randomly selected panchayats of Thiruvananthapuram district. A sample of 160 agricultural labourers i. e. 80 under KAWPS and 80 under KAWWFS selected using random allocation technique, formed the respondents of the study. In addition to that, 23 officials associated with the implementation of KAWPS and KAWWFS were also included in the present study. Personal interview was conducted with the help of well-structured and pre-tested interview schedule to collect data from agricultural labourers and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from implementing officials. The analysis of welfare schemes for agricultural labourers was done by studying the awareness, attitude and utility perception of agricultural labourers about KAWPS and KAWWFS which formed the dependent variables of the study. The selected profile characteristics of agricultural labourers were taken as independent variables which included education, family education status, family size, socio-economic status, cosmopoliteness, mass media participation, social participation, contact with extension agency, economic motivation, innovativeness and level of aspiration (both future and present). The salient findings of the study are as follows Majority of agricultural labourers under KAWPS were found to have low education, low family education status, small family size, low socio-economic status, low cosmopoliteness, low mass media participation, low social participation, low contact with extension agency, high economic motivation, high innovativeness and low level of aspiration (both future and present). Majority of agricultural labourers under KAWWFS had high education, high family education status, large family size, high socio-economic status, high cosmopoliteness, low mass media participation, high social participation, low contact with extension agency, high economic motivation, high innovativeness and high level of aspiration (both future and present). Majority of agricultural labourers under KAWPS and KAWWFS had high awareness about modus operandi of KAWPS and KAWWFS respectively. Majority of agricultural labourers under KAWPS and KAWWFS had favourable attitude towards KAWPS and KAWWFS respectively. Majority of agricultural labourers under KAWPS had high utility perception about KAWPS and majority under KAWWFS had low utility perception about KAWWFS. There was significant difference between agricultural labourers under KAWPS and KAWWFS with respect to all their selected profile characteristics. Positive and significant correlation was obtained between awareness of agricultural labourers under KAWPS about modus operandi of KAWPS and their characteristics like education, socio-economic status, cosmopoliteness, mass media participation, social participation, contact with extension agency, innovativeness and level of aspiration (future). Characteristics of agricultural labourers under KAWWFS like education, family size, socio-economic status, cosmopoliteness, mass media participation, social participation, contact with extension agency, economic motivation, innovativeness and level of aspiration (future) were found to have a positive and significant correlation with their awareness about modus operandi of KAWWFS. Level of aspiration (both future and present) of agricultural labourers under KAWPS had negative and significant correlation with their attitude towards KAWPS. Education, cosmopoliteness, mass media participation, contact with extension agency, economic motivation, innovativeness and level of aspiration (future) of agricultural labourers under KAWWFS had positive and significant relationship with their attitude towards KAWWFS. Family size of agricultural labourers under KAWPS had positive and significant correlation with their utility perception about KAWPS. Socio-economic status, cosmopoliteness, mass media participation, social participation, economic motivation, innovativeness and level of aspiration (both future and present) of agricultural labourers under KAWWFS had positive and significant correlation with their utility perception about KAWWFS while education had negative and significant correlation. Majority of the implementing officials had a favourable attitude towards KAWPS and KAWWFS. Most important constraint experienced by agricultural labourers under KAWPS was 'non-availability of pension regularly' while those under KAWWFS was 'non-availability of benefits in time'. 'Identification of agricultural labourer as per the rules and regulations of the scheme' and 'the staff pattern allowed is insufficient' were the most important constraints experienced by officials in the implementation of KAWPS and KAWWFS respectively.
Open Access
Linkage between the department of agriculture and soil conservation unit in the implementation of soil and water conservation programmes in Kerala
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Sunilkumar, R; KAU; Babu, B
A study was conducted to analyse the linkage between the officials in the Department of Agriculture and soil Conservation Unit in the implementation of soil and water conservation programmes in Kerala and to suggest a suitable administration strategy for the effective implementation of soil and water conservation programmes. The study also aimed to understand the role perception and role performance of the officials in the Department of Agriculture and soil conservation Unit with respect to soil and water Conservation Programms. The locale of the study was Kozhikode, Idukki, Palakkad, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Stratified multistage random sampling procedure was adopted for the selection of respondents. The respondents comprised 64 Agricultural Officers, 12 Principal Agricultural Officers, 22 Junior Soil Conservation Officers and 12 District Soil Conservation Officers. Pre-tested structured quistionnaries were used for the collection of data. Role perception, role performance and linkage were the dependent variables study. The independent variables selected for the purpose of study were age, education, rural-urban background, experience, trainings undergone, achievement motivation, job involvement, job environment and job satisfaction. The salient the study were as follows : Majority of the Agricultural Officers and 50 per cent of the Principal Agricultural officers had low level of perception about their roles whereas majority of Junior Soil Conservation Officers and District Soil Conservation Officers had high role perception with respect to soil and water conservation. More than half of the Agricultural Officers, 50 per cent of the Principal Agricultural Officers and two third of the Junior Soil Conservation Officers and District Soil Conservation Officers had high role performance with respect to soil and water conservation. Majority of the officials were from rural background, had high achievement motivation, high job involvement and high job satisfaction. The characteristics viz; trainings undergone, job involvement, job environment and job satisfaction had a positive and significant relationship with role perception of Agricultural Officers. Among the characteristics hob involvement contributed much to the role perception of Agricultural Officers. Of all the nine characterizes, only job satisfaction had a positive and significant relationship with role performance of Agricultural Officers. There was linkage between officials in the Department of Agriculture and soil Conservation Unit, but only modicum and there was no significant difference between the Principal Agricultural Officers and District Soil Conservation Officers in the performance of their linking roles with respect to soil and water conservation programmes. The important factors which affect linkage as perceived by the officials in Soil Conservation Unit were absence of separate department for Soil and Water Coservation, inadequate contact between officials in the Department of Agriculture and Soil conservation Unit, lack of Team work between officials in the Department of Agriculture and Soil Conservation Unit, negative attitude towards functional integration of Soil Conservation Unit with the Department of Agriculture, lack of formal and informal communication between officials in the Department of Agriculture and Soil conservation Unit and possible areas of joint activity left undefined.
Open Access
Aspiration of educated unemployed youth for self-employment in agriculture and allied fields
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1993) Pradeep Kumar, R; KAU; Bhaskaran, S
This study was designed to assess the Aspiration of educated unemployed youth for self-employment in agriculture and allied fields. Following accidental sampling procedure, 120 educated unemployed youth of the Attingal Agricultural sub division, Thiruvananthapuram District, were interviewed so as to assess their profile characteristics, extent of participation in agriculture and allied fields, aspiration, preference for self-employment in agriculture and allied fields, their training needs and to suggest a suitable training strategy for them. The data were statistically analysed and verified the hypotheses. Regarding their profile characteristics, majority of the youth were at the later adoloscent stage, having education from S.S.L.C to Pre-degree level, annual income of family was high, farm size was less than one hectare, had farming experience up to three years, had no social participation, having low extension agency contact, high exposure to mass media, more favourable attitude towards self-employment in agriculture and allied fields and their leisure-time activities were in relation to agriculture. Majority of the respondents had medium to high level of participation in agriculture and allied fields. Farm size, farming experience, extension agency contact. Mass media exposure and attitude towards self-employment in agriculture and allied fields had positive and significant relationship with extent of participation in agriculture and allied fields at one percent level. Majority of the respondents aspired for getting higher income in their profession followed by getting a Govt. job and developing farm. Majority of the respondents had preferred vegetable production and plant nursery management as their self-employment avenues. Extent of participation in agriculture and allied fields had significant association with preference for self - employment in agriculture and allied fields and aspiration of youth. Preference for self - employment in agriculture and allied fields had significant association with training need. There was significant difference between male and female in training need and aspiration. In the case of vegetable production, “selection and production of good quality seeds” was perceived as the most training need area. In the case of plant nursery management “control of pests and diseases” was perceived as the most training need area. Majority of the respondents had preferred peripatetic training with long term duration during summer months. Krishibhavan was the venue of the training and ‘demonstration’ was the most preferred methodology of training.

Theses

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results