Theses

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 48

Open Access
Entrepreneurial behaviour of rural women in Thiruvananthapuram district
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Jayalekshmi, G; KAU; Shilaja, S
The present study under the title ''Entrepreneurial behaviour of rural women in Thiruvananthapuram district was undertaken to assess the entrepreneurial behaviour of rural women to study the personal and sociopsychological factors influencing entrepreneurial behaviour and the constraints experienced by the rural women in starting an enterprise. Rural women trained in mushroom cultivation and fruit and vegetable preservation were selected from College of Agriculture, Vellayani and Mitraniketan Vellanad. Thirty rural women each were selected from each centre for each enterprise. Thus 120 trained rural women were selected. Another 60 untrained rural women were also selected as control. Thus the total sample comprised of 180 with five groups of respondents. Data was collected using interview schedule and suitable statistical techniques were employed in the analysis of data. An entrepreneurial development index was developed and found that the factors such as economic motivation, risktaking ability, decision making ability, achievement motivation, management orientation, competition orientation and self confidence were the major dimensions of entrepreneurial behaviour. With regard to the profile of rural women, the rural women selected, both trained and untrained belonged to young age group and majority of them belonged to backward caste. Educational status and family educational status of the selected respondents were high school and above. More than 50 per cent of them have land holding ranging from 15-20 cents and annual income between Rs.15000-20000. More than 55 per cent of the rural women have taken up self employment. Above 50 per cent of the rural women have high information seeking behaviour, mass media contact, social participation, level of aspiration and attitude towards self employment. Majority of the rural women have low cosmopoliteness. Cent per cent of the trained rural women have high knowledge of the technology. Except rural women in group II & V all others have high entrepreneurial behaviour. Comparison of the five groups revealed that they were on par with respect to age, landholding, annual income and social participation. Majority of the trained rural women belonged to backward caste and untrained belonged to scheduled caste. The trained rural women differed significantly with the untrained in their educational status, family educational status, occupation, information seeking behavior and perceived knowledge of the technology. There was significant difference among the groups with respect to mass media contact, level of aspiration, cosmopoliteness and entrepreneurial behavior. Relationship of the personal and socio-psychological factors with the entrepreneurial behavior showed that in the case of group I, variables namely educational status of the family, information seeking behavior, mass media contact, level of aspiration, attitude towards self employment and perceived knowledge of the technology were positively and significantly correlated. In the case of group II, caste educational status of the respondents and family, information seeking behavior, mass media contact, social participation, level of aspiration, cosmopoliteness, attitude towards self employment and perceived knowledge of the technology were positively and significantly correlated with the entrepreneurial behavior. Only educational status of the family was found to have a positive and significant relationship with the entrepreneurial behavior of group III. In the case of group IV, caste, educational status of the respondent and family, annual income, information seeking behavior, mass media contact, cosmopoliteness, level of aspiration, attitude towards self employment and perceived knowledge of the technology were positively and significantly correlated with the entrepreneurial behaviour. In the case of group V a positive and significant relationship exists between entrepreneurial behavior and educational status of the respondent and family, annual income, information seeking behavior, mass media contact, social participation, cosmopoliteness, attitude towards self employment and perceived knowledge of the technology. With regard to the constraints experienced by the rural women, ‘Marketing problem and lack of financial assistance were the constraints in both the enterprises followed by non-availability of spawn in mushroom cultivation and high cost of fruits in fruit and vegetable preservation.
Open Access
Role of non-govermental organisations in transfer of technology for rural development- a study in Thrissur district
(Department of Agricultural extension, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1997) Indu, Bhaskar; KAU; Geethakutty, P S
A study was undertaken to analyse the effectiveness of NGOs in transfer of technology for rural development. It also aimed to identify the major programmes conducted by the selected NGOs and its consequences. The study was carried out in two selected NGOs, Kuriakose Elias Service Society (KESS) and Apex Voluntary Association for Rural Development (AVARD) of Thrissur district of Kerala during 1995-96. The sample selected for the study consisted of 100 beneficiaries, 60 non- beneficiaries, 30 NGO workers and 30 workers of other development agencies in Thrissur District. The study revealed that the major programmes of the NGOs were agri- cultural, health, HRD, community development and industrial and trade promotion programmes. The programmes consisted of components which aim at the desired changes like behavioural, health and hygiene, education, employment generation, ecological preservation, community development, leadership development, economic improvement, saftey and security, welfare, technology, self-reliance etc. which in general aimed at the overall development of rural community. Ninety per cent of the beneficiaries considered the consequences of programmes of NGOs as most beneficial to them. On analysing the respondents evaluative perception about the effectiveness of the NGOs, seventy three per cent of beneficiaries, twenty seven per cent of non-beneficiaries and ninety per cent of NGO workers and seventy per cent of development workers rated the NGOS as most effec- tive in rural development work. Significant characteristics of beneficiaries to predict their evaluative perception about the NGOs were farm size, annual income, level of aspiration and attitude towards NGOs. The beneficiaries of NGOs was significantly different from non-beneficiaries with regard to their farm size, extension contact, organisational participation, level of aspiration and attitude towards NGOs. The major constraints the NGOs face in their work for rural development were complexes of caste and religion among the rural people and lack of involve- ment from beneficiaries. The study draw attention to the emergent need of effective utilisation of the experiences and services of NGOs for rural development.
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
Promotional strategy for integrated pest management in rice in Thrissur district an experimental study
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1999) Deepa, C B; KAU; Ranjan Karippai, S
The study was aimed at popularising the Integrated Pest management practices among the rice growers of Thrissur district and to formulate a strategy to facilitate the idea using the best combination of extension method and audio visual aids. The effectiveness of different treatments in terms of gaining knowledge, attitude and symbolic adoption were arrived at. The study was conducted among 120 rice growers of Pananchery Grama Panchayat of Thrissur district. The respondents were divided into groups of 30 each The dependent variables of the study were the knowledge about IPM in rice, attitude towards IPM practices and symbolic adoption. The independent variables included the personal, socioeconomic and psychological characteristics of the farmers. The distribution of respondents based on dependent variables showed that majority of the respondents where in high category regarding knowledge and in low category regarding attitude and symbolic adoption regarding IPM rice. Out of 18 independent variable studied 11 of them were significantly and positively correlated with knowledge. Seven variables showed non significant relation. Multiple regression analysis showed 65% variation with the variables related to knowledge. Correlation analysis of attitude showed a significant and positive relation with 14 variables out of 18 variables studied. The most important being scientific orientation, progressiveness, extension participation, cosmopolitness, information seeking behavior, management orientation, status of pest in field and competitiveness. Multiple regression analysis results showed a significant R- square value of 0.648 which explained 65% of the variation. The most important variables status of pests, progressiveness Correlation analysis of symbolic adoption revealed that out of 18 variables studied 14 were positively correlated with symbolic adoption. The most important variables being scientific orientation, achievement motivation, economic motivation, extension participation, extension orientation, cosmopolitness and information seeking behavior. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that 76% of the variation was explained by the selected independent variables. The variables like economic motivation, management orientation, status of pest in field and training in IPM were positively significant. Student's t- test was carried out to compare the changing knowledge, attitude and symbolic adoption of farmers after being exposed to different treatments. Significant changes were noticed after each treatment. Maximum changes were observed after T 3. ie lecture+ slide show + discussion. The major constraint observed by the farmers was the lack of expert guidance regarding IPM practices.
Open Access
Analysis of the Characteristics of Womens Groups and Their Role in Rural Development
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1997) Sherin Muller; KAU; Mohammed Hussain, M
The present study under the title "An analysis of the characteristics of women's group and their role in rural development" was undertaken to assess the group characteristics of wornens group which were conducive for rural development and also to find out means to improve these group characteristics. 20 women's group were selected based on their proportion from 12 NES blocks of Thiruvananthapuram district Among these 20 groups 10 groups selected were effective groups comprising 98 members and 10 were non effective groups comprising 102 members selected based on a performance appraisal by the DRDA officials. Thus the total sample comprised of 200 women selected from the women's groups started under the DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) programme of DRDA. Data was collected using an interview schedule and suitable stasticial technique was employed in the analysis of data. The group characteristics found conducive for rural development are ; interdependence of members, group interaction, group decision making, group leadership, group co-operation, group cohesiveness, participation in group activities, interpersonal liking, group goal achievement, need satisfaction, interpersonal communication, group competition, interpersonal trust and group motivation. 2 The results of the correlation anulysis indicate thut interdependence of members is positively and significantly correlated with social participation, information source utilisation, DRDAl Block visit andtraining and negatively and significantly correlated with age, educational status of family and period of group work in the effective groups. In the noneffccuvc groups the variables land holding, social participation, extension participation, infoi n.ation source utilisation and period of group work showed a negative signi ficunt correlation with interdependence of members while training showed a positive correlation. There is a negative significant correlation shown between the vuriablcs age, educational status of family, trade union participation, extension participation, annual income, period of group work and cosmopoliteness with group interaction, while social 'participation and training showed a positive correlation to group interaction in effective groups. In the noneffective groups annual income showed a negative significant correlation with group interaction. The group characteristic group decision making in the effective group showed a positive and significant correlation with extension participation, information source utilisation, cosmopoliteness, DRDA visit, land holding and training while a negative significant correlation was shown with the variable educational status of family. In the noneffective groups the variables educational status of family, annual income, trade union participation. DRDA visit and training showed a positive and significant correlation with group decision making while a negative and significant correlation was shown with period of group work and cosmopoliteness. -s, 3 In the effective groups the variables information source utilisation, DRDA visit and training showed a positive and significant correlation with group leadership while the variable educational status of family showed a negative significant correlation, In the nonctfecuvc groups the variables educational status of respondent, information source utilisation, and DRDA visit showed a positive significant correlation while the' variable annual income and period of group work showed a negative significant correlation with the group characteristic, group leadership, In effective groups the variables educational status of respondent, land holding, social participation, extension participation, information source utilisation, cosmopoliteness, DRDA visit and training showed a positive correlation with group co-operation while the variable, period of group work showed a negative significant correlation, In the noneffective groups the , ., variable social participation, period of group work and trui ni IIg showed u • I negative significant correlation with group co-operation. The variables educational status of family, annual income and period of group work showed a negative significant correlation while the variables extension participation, information source utilisation, cosmopo/iteness, and training showed a positive significant correlation with group cohesiveness in the effective groups. In the noneffective groups the variables age and cducuuonul status of fumily, showed u positive sil,l.lIificnnt corrchuiuu while the variables period of group work and cosrnopoliteness showed a negative significant correlation with the group characteristic, group cohesiveness. 4 In the effective groups the variables age and period of group work showed a negative significant correlation with participation in group activities while the variables educational status of respondent, extension participation, information source utilisation, DRDA visit and training showed a positive significant correlation. In the noneffective groups the variable educational status of respondent showed a positive significant correlation while the variables social participation, and extension participation showed a negative significant correlation with participation in group activities. In effective groups the group characteristic namely interpersonal liking is seen to be positively and significantly correlated with social participation, while it is negatively and significantly correlated with the personal and socio-psychological variables namely educational status of family, land holding," annual income, trade union participation, extension participation, information source utilisation, period of group work, cosmopoliteness and DRDA visit In noneffective groups the variable age is positively and significantly correlated " "' with interpersonal liking- while the variables period of group work and training are negatively and significantly correlated. The group characteristic namely group goal achievement is shown to have a positive and significant correlation with extension participation, information source utilisation, period of group work, cosmopoIiteness and training and a negative and significant correlation with educational status of family, annual income and social participation in the effective groups. In the non effective groups the variables, social participation, trade union 5 participation and land holding showed a positive and significant correlation with group goals achievement while the variables period of group work and cosmopoliteness 'showed a negative and significant correlation with group goals achievement. In effective groups the variables land holding, extension participation, information source utilisation, period of group work, cosmopoliteness, DRDA visit and training showed a positive and significant correlation with need satisfaction while the variables educational status of family and annual income showed a negative significant correlation. It is seen that in the noneffective group the variable educational status of family, trade union participation, information source utilisation and DRDA visit showed a positive and significant relationship with need satisfaction while the variables period of group work and cosmopoliteness showed a negative and significant relationship with need satisfaction. The group characteristic, interpersonal communication showed a positive and significant correlation with educational status of respondent, land holding and training in the effective groups. In the noneffective groups, the variable educational status of respondent showed a positive significant correlation and the varia~le period of ,group work showed a negative and significant correlation with the gr~)Up characteristic interpersonal communication. The variables age and land holding showed a negative and significant correlation while extension participation, cosmopoliteness and DRDA visit 6 showed a positive and significant correlation with group competition III the effective groups. In the noneffective groups the variables educational status of respondent and' information source utilisation showed a positve and significant correlation while the variable period of group work showed a negative and significant correlation with group competition. The group characteristic interpersonal trust showed a positive and significant correlation with so.cial participation and a negative and significant correlation with educational status of family, annual income, trade union participation, extension participation, information source utilisation and period of group work in the effective groups. In the noneffective groups land holding, social participation, extension participation, information source utilisation and period of group work showed a negative and significant correlation with interpersonal trust while the variable annual income showed a positive and significant correlation with interpersonal trust. The group characteristic, group motivation showed a positive and significant correlation with information source utilisation and DRDA visit in the effective groups. In the noneffective groups, group motivation is positively and significantly correlated with educational status. of respondent and negatively and significantly correlated with: period of group work. With regards to the constraints experienced by the women's group comparative high cost of raw materials, low economic status of members, improper repayment of loans, non availability of adequate raw materials, lack 7 of local demand for the products produced, lack of interest of officials at block / district level, lack of follow up activities by department, inadequacy of revolving fund, wrong selection of members, lack of team spirit, drop out of members due to marriage and other reasons, lack of homogeniety among, members, lack of effective leadership, lack of initiative and interest at desired level among members, fear to avail loans, lack of co-operation among members, lack of quality consciousness among members about products, lack of co- operation and lack of group cohesiveness were identified as the major constraints for effecti ve group action.
Open Access
Role of Agricultural Labourers in Decision Making in Paddy Production by Farmers in Thiruvananthapuram District
(Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1994) Jiju Alex, P; KAU; Padmanabhan, V B
A research study entitled, “Role of agricultural labourers in decision – making in paddy production by farmers in Thiruvananthapuram district” was under taken with a view to identify the areas of decision – making by agricultural labourers with the employer farmers in paddy production, to identify the role perception and role performance of male and female agricultural labourers in decision – making, to study the role of male and female agricultural labourers in decision – making as perceived by the farmers employing them and to analyse the characteristics of male and female agricultural labourers in relation to their role perception and role performance. The study was conducted in the three Agricultural sub – divisions of Thiruvananthapuram district, namely Attingal, Neyyattinkara and Nedumangad. Stratified two – stage random sampling was followed to select 60 farmers, 60 male Agricultural labourers and 60 female agricultural labourers. Data were collected from farmers and labourers using separate interview schedules. Suitable statistical techniques like percentage analysis, simple correlation analysis, step – wise regression analysis, path analysis and student’s t test were employed in the analysis of data. Thirty one areas of decision – making in paddy production were identified in which agricultural labourers had their role with the employer farmers. The study indicated that the role perception and role performance of agricultural labourers, though not excellent was generally good in activities they involve most frequently. A vast majority of male labourers were found to have considerably higher role perception in decision – making with the farmers in agricultural practices such as variety to be selected, type of manures and fertilizers to be used in basal application, type of fertilizers required for top dressing and irrigation of crop in the mainfield. Remarkably higher fractions of female labourers were observed to have significant role perception in decision – making areas namely, spacing to be adopted for transplanting, time of weeding and harvesting number of labourers required for transplanting, weeding, harvesting, threshing, winnowing and processing of straw. Significantly higher fractions of the male respondents were reported to have high role performance in deciding the variety to be selected, interval of irrigation required, type of fertilizers required in the nursery and mainfield, number of ploughing required for top dressing, time of weeding, time of application of plant protection chemicals and number of labourers required for weeding. Role performance of majority of female agricultural labourers was higher in deciding various aspects of transplanting, weeding and harvesting. Role perception and role performance of Agricultural labourers were found to be significantly correlated to each other. Significant difference was observed among male and female agricultural labourers with regard to overall role perception and role performance. Majority of farmers perceived the role of male agricultural labourers, ‘as important’ in deciding the number of labourers required for transplanting, type of manures and fertilizers to be used in basal application, irrigation of crop in the mainfield, time of weeding, number of labourers required for weeding operations, time of application of plant protection chemicals and quantity of plant protection chemicals. Role of female agricultural labourers in deciding various aspects of transplanting, weeding and harvesting was ascribed significant importance by the employer farmers. Significant positive correlation was observed for three characteristics of both male and female agricultural labourers, namely, attitude towards job, attitude towards scientific agricultural practices and knowledge of scientific agricultural practices with their role perception as well as role performance. ‘Period of employment under the farmer’, contributed as much as 53.84 per cent variation in the role perception of male agricultural labourers. ‘Knowledge of scientific agricultural practices’ accounted for 37.76 per cent variation in the role perception of female labourers. With regard to role performance, knowledge of scientific agricultural practices accounted for 46.06 per cent variation in the case of male agricultural labourers and ‘period of employment under the farmer’ accounted for 58.20 per cent variation in the case of female agricultural labourers. ‘period of employment under the farmer’ had maximum direct effect on the role perception of male agricultural labourers, whereas, it was ‘knowledge of scientific agricultural practices’ which had maximum direct effect on the role performance.
Open Access
Agricultural information source utilisation pattern of neo-literate farmers in rural areas
(Department Of Agricultural Extension, College Of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1996) Beena, Boniface; KAU; Padmanabhan, V B
With a view to identify the agricultural information source utilization pattern, availability and credibility of the sources by the neo- literate farmers, a study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala State. It was also aimed at studying the information need of neo- literate farmers on important aspects of cultivation of certain crops. The study was conducted in five Krishibhavans of Neyyattinkara Agricultural Subdivision. Multi- stage random sampling was followed to select the neo- literate farmers as respondents. Data were collected from the respondents using separate interview schedules. Suitable statistical techniques like mean, frequency, percentage analysis, simple correlation and paired comparison technique were employed in the analysis of data. The study revealed that literacy centre was the most utilized source of agricultural information by the neo- literate farmers followed by radio, newspaper, television, Akshara Sangham, friends, neighbours, relatives, Jana vidhya kendram, Krishibhavan, fertilizer dealer, pesticide dealer, Block office, Agricultural college and Kerala Horticulture Development Programme in that order. The readily available source of agricultural information for the neo- literate farmers was identified as literacy centre followed by friends, radio, neighbours, relatives, akshara sangham, Krishi bhavan, newspaper, pesticide dealer, fertilizer dealer, television, Jana vidhya kendram, block office, Agricultural college and Kerala Horticulture Development Programme in that order. Of the eight sources selected to study their credibility, ‘literacy centre’ was ranked as the most credible source of agricultural information by the neo- literate farmers, followed by newspaper, television, radio, friends, krishi bhavan, fertilizer dealer and pesticide dealer in that order. The information most needed for neo-literate farmers for the crop banana was about the dose of fertilizers and for vegetables, it was the dose of plant protection chemicals. The age of 36% of neo- literate farmers was in the range of 31-40 years and 70% of the neo- literate farmers interviewed were female. About 38% of family members had undergone secondary education. More than half of the respondents were undertaking coolie, as their subsidiary occupation and 57% of them were earning below Rs.250 per month from subsidiary occupation. Sixty two per cent of respondents were cultivating on leased as well as on own land. Garden land was possessed by 57.3% of the neo- literate farmers. In radio, ‘vayalum veedum’ programme was consulted very often by 46% of the respondents and 42.3% consulted ‘Karshika meghala varthakal’ occasionally. In television ‘nattinpuram’ programme was consulted by 88% of the respondents ‘occasionally. In newspaper, ‘farm pages’ was consulted by 60% of the neo- literate farmers ‘occasionally’ and 67% consulted market price column occasionally. Articles were the most preferred item by 70% of the respondents. Eighty eight per cent ranked ‘Group management in coconut’ as the most preferred agricultural programme in krishibhavan. About 90% possessed high level of attitude towards scientific agricultural practices and ninety three per cent of the respondents possessed high level of attitude towards adult literacy. Knowledge level of 88% of the respondents was low. There was significant and positive relationship between attitude towards scientific agricultural practices and adult literacy.

Theses

Browse

Thesis Type

Type

Author

Date

Subject

Search Results